MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas will lean on an 11-man PBA core in its bid to defend the Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal, with naturalized star Justin Brownlee’s participation still uncertain as the national team enters the final stretch of preparations.
The 11 players left for Seoul on Wednesday for a pair of tune-up matches against South Korea in Suwon on Friday and Sunday, giving head coach Tim Cone an important test of the squad before the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Making the trip are Brandon Bates, Adrian Nocum, Robert Bolick, Sedrick Barefield, Don Trollano, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Zavier Lucero, RJ Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana and Jerrick Ahanmisi.
The group is expected to form the core of the Philippines’ Asian Games roster as Cone seeks to sharpen the squad for its gold medal defense.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is keeping the 12th and final roster spot open for Brownlee, who is still recovering from injuries.
“Justin Brownlee is still 50/50 depending on if he feels fit enough,” Cone told Panay News in a Viber message.
Brownlee played a pivotal role in the Philippines’ historic championship run in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where Gilas ended the country’s 61-year wait for an Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal.
Cone also said the national team remains open to the possible inclusion of 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto, although he believes Sotto’s participation is unlikely.
The two games against South Korea will provide Cone an opportunity to assess the chemistry and readiness of the PBA-heavy lineup before Gilas heads into continental competition.
The Philippines opens its Asian Games campaign against Bahrain on Sept. 11 before taking on Kazakhstan on Sept. 12 and host China on Sept. 14.
Gilas will attempt to repeat its Hangzhou triumph and retain the Asian Games crown for the first time in Philippine basketball history./PN
