PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Gilas Pilipinas will be bringing its entire 15-man squad when it leaves Manila for the Cambodian capital on Saturday.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes made the confirmation to Daily Tribune, saying that they have decided to bring all of their 15 players where the final 12-man roster will be drawn during the team managers meeting of the men’s basketball event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
All the 15 hopefuls were part of the group that underwent a closed-door, twice-a-day training camp that started last week at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Among the 15, only Justin Brownlee and Christian Standhardinger appear to have an inside track in the final roster.
Brownlee, of course, is coming in as the team’s naturalized player while Standhardinger’s services are badly needed following the absence of mainstays June Mar Fajardo, Poy Erram and Japeth Aguilar.
Standhardinger, who is coming off a successful campaign for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Philippine Basketball Association, said getting used to Reyes’ system will not be a problem.
“I played for Coach Chot before and Coach Tim so I know how to play defense for both of them. Whatever we’re doing, I kinda know them. I’m not too far when it comes to catching up,” the Filipino-German banger said, adding that the six-day camp allowed him to familiarize with Gilas Pilipinas’ offensive schemes.
“I’m right where I want to be and keep myself in a better shape and now I just have to build on it.”
Standhardinger is likely to share minutes in the frontcourt with Brownlee and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Also vying for spots in the final 12 are Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Jeremiah Gray, Arvin Tolentino, Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, Michael and Ben Phillips, Jerom Lastimosa and Mason Amos.
“Everyone who has been training from the pool has a chance,” Reyes said.
“Those who will make it to the final team are players who were in the camp. If you’re not there, you’re not going to make the lineup.”
