Nothing final for Gilas Pilipinas Youth lineup in FIBA U18 SEABA Qualifiers, says Sauler

As long as the final list of players has not been submitted, nothing is set in stone for the Gilas Pilipinas Youth lineup for the upcoming FIBA U18 SEABA Qualifiers.

Head coach Juno Sauler said this as the June 1 submission deadline approaches, with the team still evaluating its final roster composition.

The national youth team recently released a 24-man pool for the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup as part of its preparations for the qualifiers.

Included in the lineup are Lian Kent Basa, Ethan Aguas, Patrick Pasinos, Andwele Cabañero, Hans Patagoc, Audwyn Tamayo, Louis Razon, Jacob Lacson, Bruce Tubongbanua, Aidan Green, Joaquin Tovera, Austin Arsic, Josef Calo-oy, Eoin Braga, Jibson Gaviola, Shaun Lucido, Kyle Sardon, Lance Amos, JB Cagurungan, Ziv Espinas, Prince Cariño, Jaime Teodoro, Chog Moral, and Andrew Chio.

In the team’s first game against Far Eastern University, 12 players from the released pool saw action: Basa, Aguas, Braga, Lucido, Amos, Cabañero, Lacson, Tubongbanua, Gaviola, Cagurungan, Teodoro, and Chio.

In the succeeding game against the University of the Philippines, Cabañero, Lucido, Teodoro, Gaviola, and Braga did not play. Taking their places were Espinas, Cariño, Moral, Pasinos, Razon, and Sardon.

“We never know, the submission is June 1,” Sauler said.

“It has happened in the past where we’ve already informed players that they would no longer continue, but then we ended up recalling them. Again, it depends on what we see in the coming days and weeks before the submission deadline. We might still recall players who are currently not part of the final 15.”

Sauler added that he advised the players who did not suit up in the second game to stay ready in case something happens.

From the 24-man pool, Green will no longer continue with the team, while Tovera and Patagoc are expected to arrive in the country today.

Palarong Pambansa-bound players

The Palarong Pambansa is also scheduled next week, with five players expected to represent their respective teams: Moral, Aguas, Sardon, Basa, and Lacson.

However, Sauler hopes the players will remain in Manila to continue training with the national team ahead of the qualifiers.

“My agreement, or what I’m trying to ask from the coaches of these players, is for them to already focus on the SEABA tournament,” Sauler said, noting that differing schedules could affect team chemistry.

“Sana maintindihan ng schools, sana maintindihan ng coaches, ng mga tao kasi I’m sure even the people want to see these players play there, but it’s also their commitment to be with SBP and be part of the youth national program,” he added.

Sauler also said players who will not make the final SEABA lineup may still continue playing in the preseason tournament as members of the broader national pool.

The FIBA U18 SEABA Qualifiers will be held from June 10 to 14.

—JKC, GMA News