Gilas Women also hit by eligibility ruling as SEA Games scrutiny widens

The eligibility storm that first rattled the Gilas Pilipinas Men has now reached the women’s side, forcing head coach Pat Aquino to make difficult decisions mere weeks before the 33rd Southeast Asian Games tip off in Thailand.

Aquino confirmed that two of his most versatile guards — Stefanie Berberabe and Gabi Bade — were excluded from the official roster after the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee classified both athletes as naturalized due to passport regulations.

“They got their passport after the age of 16 so they are considered as naturalized,” Aquino explained, a ruling that strips the women’s squad of two players who have been central to the program’s rise.

The decision hits particularly hard given the duo’s track record.

Berberabe played significant roles in the gold-medal run in the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games and the silver-medal finish in Cambodia in 2023. Bade, equally instrumental, has been a steady contributor and has continued to sharpen her game with Gilas through the Women’s MPBL.

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#GilasPilipinas Women head coach Pat Aquino confirms the addition of two new reinforcements to the national team roster after key players Gabi Bade and Stefanie Berberabe were ruled ineligible following #SEAGamesThailand’s eligibility decision. | via Luisa Morales#OSOnTheSpot pic.twitter.com/f931jZGQBb

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Their momentum, however, has now collided with rules beyond the team’s control.

The ruling mirrors the controversy already surrounding the men’s roster.

With Thailand barring naturalized players outright, Gilas Men will be without cornerstones Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, both of whom have delivered historic moments for the Philippines.

The uncertainty doesn’t end there.

Remy Martin, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Mike Phillips — all key pieces in Gilas Men’s depth and versatility — are also in danger of being removed from consideration as their eligibility status is still under review.

What started as a complication for the men’s team has now become a program-wide challenge — one that threatens to reshape lineups, chemistry, and expectations just as the Philippine squads enter a highly competitive SEA Games cycle.

For the Gilas Women, losing Berberabe and Bade isn’t just about numbers — it’s about removing players who bring pace, shot creation, leadership, and playoff experience. Both guards were expected to help stabilize the backcourt in this year’s campaign.

Still, Aquino and his staff find themselves navigating the situation with pragmatism and resolve, turning their focus to maximizing the depth that remains.

Meanwhile, across both teams, the eligibility restrictions have sparked broader conversation about long-term planning, youth development, and the importance of preparing for varied regional rules.

The SEA Games has long served as a battleground where politics, regulations, and sports inevitably intersect — and for the Philippines, this year’s edition may be the clearest example yet.

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