Gilas Pilipinas will head to the Thailand SEA Games without Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame. Thailand has upheld its rule banning naturalized players from the 5×5 basketball event, leaving both players ineligible.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino confirmed the decision after the team’s sendoff at Rizal Memorial Coliseum. He said he was still waiting for the full details but the verdict was already clear.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy earlier voiced her disappointment, saying the shifting eligibility rules caused confusion, especially when it first appeared that only a passport would be required.
The final ruling was settled in a meeting of participating federations on Thursday.
Brownlee and Kouame were originally part of coach Norman Black’s pool as Gilas aimed to defend its gold from the 2023 Games in Cambodia.
Kouame will still suit up for the men’s 3×3 team since the eligibility rules for that event are different.
With the setback, the SBP and Black will now plan their next steps. Jamie Malonzo and Geo Chiu were already added to the list of possible players, but the team has yet to begin training, according to sources.