PBA teams throw full support behind Gilas Pilipinas for 2025 SEA Games

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on Thursday, November 4, unveiled the final 12-man Gilas Pilipinas roster for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok.

Thirdy Ravena, Cedrick Manzano, Dalph Panopio, Robert Bolick, Matthew Wright, Ray Parks, Von Pessumal, Abu Tratter, Jamie Malonzo, and Veejay Pre headline a squad that has undergone multiple reshuffles amid shifting eligibility rulings by the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee.

The SBP initially included naturalized standouts Justin Brownlee and Angelo Kouame, but both were later withdrawn after organizers ruled that naturalized players—and athletes who failed to obtain a passport before age 16—are ineligible for the Games.

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“After a tedious back and forth due to initially unclear and constantly changing rules in player eligibility, we at the SBP have submitted this list to the local organizing committee and it has been vetted and has undergone pre-approvals,” the federation said in a statement.

THAI-TLE DEFENSE

Gilas Pilipinas Men head to Thailand armed with a battle-ready roster focused on protecting the Philippines’ gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok. #GilasPilipinas #SEAGamesThailand #TibayAtTatag pic.twitter.com/YhGSf5NGpz

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 4, 2025

With most players currently competing in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Gilas’ final lineup required the blessing of several PBA clubs—support that has become customary whenever national-team duty calls.

The commitment remains strong even as the league enters the critical stretch of its season. One notable case is Robert Bolick, who is helping NLEX Road Warriors fight for a quarterfinal berth. Still, team governor Ronald Dulatre affirmed that the franchise has no hesitation in clearing him for national duty.

“It’s very crucial since the team standings are so close. But if it’s for the national team, for the country, we need to fully support and prioritize and Bolick really wants to play also for the flag. We just need to focus on our Sunday game with Magnolia so we can give Berto a good send-off before he flies to Thailand with Gilas,” Dulatre said.

With PBA teams showing unified support, the focus now shifts to whether Norman Black’s Gilas squad can successfully defend its SEA Games basketball crown once action tips off in Bangkok.

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