3 Ginebra players cut as Gilas SEA Games lineup set

CHAMPION. Kiefer Ravena shoots for a fifth straight SEA Games gold medal. Photo from fiba.basketball

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas' final 12-man lineup for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games has been set.

National team veterans June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, and Roger Pogoy will spearhead the Philippines' campaign for a 13th straight SEA Games gold medal and 18th overall, according to reports by Spin.ph and ESPN5.

Joining the 4 are fellow Philippine team mainstays Marcio Lassiter, Christian Standhardinger, Matthew Wright, Troy Rosario, Stanley Pringle, and Kiefer Ravena, who will shoot for a fifth consecutive gold.

Vic Manuel and Chris Ross – who will don the Gilas Pilipinas colors for the first time – complete the squad.

Cut from 15-man pool were Barangay Ginebra players Greg Slaughter, Scottie Thompson, and Art dela Cruz.

The seven-foot Slaughter was expected to form a towering frontcourt with Fajardo but he suffered a dislocated thumb during the buildup for the SEA Games, which the country will host starting November 30.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio expressed full confidence on the team.

"The coaching staff led by coach Tim Cone are doing a great job in preparing the team for the upcoming SEA Games and they had the unenviable task of trimming the lineup down to just 12 individuals," said Panlilio.

"Although the decision was surely not easy, the SBP have complete trust in the team and we're excited to defend our crown as the best basketball team in the region."

Gilas Pilipinas will kick off its gold medal bid against Singapore on December 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com