Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Tag: Gilas Pilipinas

  • Senate setback delays Bennie Boatwright naturalization bid

    Senate setback delays Bennie Boatwright naturalization bid

    What appeared to be the final naturalization hurdle in Bennie Boatwright’s path to becoming a Filipino citizen turned into an unexpected waiting game after Senate proceedings were disrupted on Monday, June 1.


    Boatwright, who is being lined up as a potential addition to the Gilas Pilipinas pool, was at the Senate expecting movement on his naturalization bid. 

     

    Instead, the process was temporarily put on hold after lawmakers failed to secure a quorum, preventing the chamber from taking up several measures on its agenda, including the bill seeking to grant him Philippine citizenship.

     

    House Bill 6639 was positioned to move closer to completion, with the Senate measure scheduled for plenary approval. However, the session did not proceed as planned, leaving Boatwright’s application stuck at a critical stage.

     

    The delay comes at a particularly important time for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), which is working against a shrinking timeline ahead of major international competitions. Once approved by the Senate, the measure would only need to be transmitted to the Office of the President for signing into law, effectively completing Boatwright’s naturalization process.

     

    As of 6 p.m., senators from the majority bloc were absent from the plenary session scheduled at 5 p.m., a development that came amid the day’s political developments, including the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. The lack of attendance ultimately prevented the Senate from acting on pending measures.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Despite the setback, there were signs of continued support for the athletes awaiting legislative action. 

     

    Senator Kiko Pangilinan, former chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, was seen speaking with Boatwright and Fil-American wrestler Matthew James Ramos and personally apologized for the delay.

     

    For Gilas Pilipinas, the issue extends beyond paperwork. The 6-foot-10 Boatwright is viewed as a possible frontcourt weapon for the national team as it prepares to defend its Asian Games gold medal in Nagoya, Japan, in September. 

     

    His size, shooting ability, and versatility could give the Philippines another high-level option alongside current naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

     

    The uncertainty now centers on timing. The Senate is scheduled to adjourn after Wednesday and is not expected to resume sessions until July, raising questions about when the naturalization measure will return to the floor. 

     

    While the process remains on track legislatively, every delay narrows the preparation window for both Boatwright and the national team.

     

    With the Asian Games drawing closer, the SBP remains hopeful that the final steps can be completed in time. Until then, one of Gilas Pilipinas’ most anticipated roster additions remains waiting for a vote that was expected to be a formality but has suddenly become a race against the calendar.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • PBA adjusts 2026 Governors’ Cup calendar around packed Gilas Pilipinas schedule 

    PBA adjusts 2026 Governors’ Cup calendar around packed Gilas Pilipinas schedule 

    The PBA’s next conference will not simply revolve around the race for another championship — it will also revolve around Gilas Pilipinas.


    On Tuesday, the league officially released the full schedule for the 2026 Governors’ Cup, unveiling a calendar heavily shaped by the national team’s commitments in both the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the 20th Asian Games.


    The season-opening conference will begin on July 10, but unlike a traditional uninterrupted tournament run, the Governors’ Cup will unfold in phases as the league makes room for one of the busiest international stretches in recent Philippine basketball history.


    The opening leg of the elimination round will run from July 10 to August 14 before the PBA temporarily pauses operations for nearly two months to give way to Gilas Pilipinas duties.

    That break immediately places the spotlight on the national team.


    Gilas Pilipinas Men will first open its campaign in Window 4 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers against the New Zealand Tall Blacks in Auckland on July 3 before traveling to Perth to battle the Australia Boomers on July 6.


    After the qualifier window, attention quickly shifts toward the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan scheduled from September 10 to 20 — a tournament where the Philippines will attempt to defend the historic gold medal it captured in Hangzhou.


    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.


    The extended league break reflects how much importance Philippine basketball officials are placing on the national team campaign.


    Once Gilas completes its international assignments, the PBA resumes action on October 7, with the remaining elimination round games scheduled until October 21.


    The quarterfinals will then follow from October 23 to November 8 before another temporary shutdown arrives.


    The second break, stretching from November 9 to December 3, was again built around Gilas Pilipinas preparations for Window 5 of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, scheduled from November 23 to December 1.


    After that final international interruption, the league will enter the decisive stretch of the conference.


    The best-of-five semifinals are slated from December 4 to December 13, while the Governors’ Cup Finals will begin on December 16 and could extend until December 30 if the series reaches the limit.


    With the calendar now finalized, the 2026 Governors’ Cup shapes up as one of the most nationally intertwined conferences the PBA has staged in years — one where league ambitions and national team responsibilities will constantly overlap throughout the season. 


    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • Gilas’ Asian Games plans move closer as Senate advances Bennie Boatwright naturalization 

    Gilas’ Asian Games plans move closer as Senate advances Bennie Boatwright naturalization 

    The Philippines’ bid to strengthen its basketball arsenal for the 2026 Asian Games moved a major step forward on Tuesday after the Senate approved on second reading the bill seeking the naturalization of Bennie Boatwright.

     

    While the process is not yet complete, the development places Gilas Pilipinas one step closer to potentially forming a formidable frontcourt tandem between Boatwright and longtime national team reinforcement Justin Brownlee for the country’s Asian Games title defense.

     

    The measure, authored by Senator Francis Pangilinan, cleared the Senate plenary after lawmakers tackled questions surrounding the naturalization process and the standards required in granting Filipino citizenship to foreign athletes.

     

    The bill now heads to third and final reading, widely considered the last major legislative hurdle before it reaches Malacañang for presidential approval.

     

    For the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, timing remains crucial.

     

    The federation hopes to complete Boatwright’s naturalization early enough for him to become eligible for the 2026 Asian Games, where Gilas Pilipinas will attempt to defend the historic gold medal it captured in Hangzhou.

     

    Pangilinan emphasized during deliberations that strengthening the national team through naturalized talent has become increasingly necessary given the growing international competition across Asia.

     

    According to the senator, several countries have already aggressively expanded their pool of naturalized players, citing Japan as an example with multiple reinforcements available for selection.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The discussions, however, also reopened broader conversations regarding how the country grants citizenship through legislative naturalization.

     

    During the Senate interpolation, Senator Rodante Marcoleta stressed the need for stricter standards and closer scrutiny when approving such measures.

     

    “Sana meron pa pong iba sanang mga pamantayan na magagamit natin,” said Marcoleta.

     

    “Sana sa mga ganitong instances ay susuriin natin mabuti para sa ganun, hindi lilitaw na napakadali nating i-grant ang citizenship na para sa atin ay bagay na dapat kinakailangang maging masinop tayo at maging mahigpit sapagkat ang pagiging Pilipino po ay hindi basta binibigay ng kahit kanino.”

     

    Pangilinan acknowledged the concerns and agreed that the process should continue to be handled carefully even as the country pursues competitiveness in international basketball.

     

    Boatwright has emerged as one of the SBP’s preferred candidates due to his versatility and scoring ability, qualities the national team believes could complement Brownlee in future FIBA and Asian Games campaigns.

     

    Should the bill officially become law, Boatwright would join a growing list of naturalized players who have represented the Philippines in major international tournaments — but with expectations immediately tied to helping Gilas remain among Asia’s elite.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

     

  • SBP turns to Japanese league champion Burke Toews to lead Gilas Women’s next era 

    SBP turns to Japanese league champion Burke Toews to lead Gilas Women’s next era 

    For the first time in more than a decade, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is handing the future of Gilas Pilipinas Women to a completely new voice.

     

    And it is a voice shaped far away from Philippine basketball.

     

    After months of quietly searching overseas for the right fit, the SBP officially named Burke Toews as the new head coach of the national women’s team, signaling the federation’s intent to push the program toward a more international direction.

     

    Toews arrives with a résumé built in Japan — one of Asia’s strongest basketball systems — where he spent the last decade establishing himself as one of the winningest coaches in the women’s professional game.

     

    The Canadian mentor recently wrapped up a highly successful run with the Fujitsu Red Wave, steering the club to back-to-back league championships in 2024 and 2025 while also capturing consecutive All-Japan titles.

     

    More importantly, his success was not built overnight.

     

    Across 10 seasons with Fujitsu, Toews transformed the Red Wave into a consistent title contender, leading the team to five finals appearances while earning three Coach of the Year awards along the way.

     

    Long before that, he also guided the Hyogo Storks to a JBL2 championship in 2013.

    Now, the challenge becomes entirely different.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Toews takes over a Gilas Women program entering a transition period after the end of the long tenure of Pat Aquino, who spent 12 years helping elevate the national team into a respected force in Southeast Asia.

     

    Under Aquino, Gilas Women produced some of the biggest milestones in program history, including a breakthrough appearance in the Women’s World Cup qualifiers in France and multiple strong finishes in regional competitions.

     

    But with Aquino now moving to the PBA as head coach of Blackwater Bossing, the federation chose to reset the direction of the program rather than simply continue the old system.

     

    According to the SBP, Toews emerged as the choice after an extensive global search involving more than a dozen applicants from different countries.

     

    The hiring also reflects the federation’s growing admiration for Japan’s basketball development model — a system known for discipline, player movement, and long-term continuity.

     

    Now, the responsibility of translating that success to the Philippine setup belongs to Toews.

     

    And with Gilas Women already coming off some of the biggest breakthroughs in its history, expectations may arrive much faster than the usual rebuilding process.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Gilas Pilipinas faces even tougher Australia men’s national basketball team test with new additions joining Boomers

    Gilas Pilipinas faces even tougher Australia men’s national basketball team test with new additions joining Boomers

    Just when Gilas Pilipinas thought the challenge against Australia could not get any steeper, the Boomers added another star to the equation.

     

    And not just any star.

     

    Australia is set to unleash Bryce Cotton for the first time during the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers — giving the already-loaded Boomers roster one of the most accomplished players in National Basketball League history.

     

    Cotton is expected to make his long-awaited debut for the Australians on July 3 against Guam before potentially facing Gilas three days later at the RAC Arena.

     

    For the Philippines, the timing could hardly be tougher.

     

    Australia already dominated Gilas, 93-66, during the previous qualifying window last March at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    Now, the world No. 6 Boomers are adding a player widely viewed as one of the greatest imports — and eventually naturalized players — the NBL has ever seen.

     

     

    The 33-year-old Cotton officially became eligible to represent Australia after securing his citizenship late in 2025, with Basketball Australia formally confirming his inclusion in the national team setup earlier this week.

     

    For Cotton, the call-up represents more than simply another basketball milestone.

     

    “Representing the Australian men’s national basketball team for the first time is something I don’t take lightly,” the six-foot guard said in a statement posted on the National Basketball League official website.

     

    “Coming from where I come from, this opportunity means a lot to me and my family. Australia has embraced me from day one, and I’m grateful for the chance to wear the green and gold alongside a great group of guys,” he added.

     

    “I’m excited, motivated, and ready to give everything I have for the country.”

     

    Cotton enters the national team carrying a résumé few players in Australian basketball can rival.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The former Providence College standout is already a three-time NBL champion and six-time league MVP — achievements that cemented his place as arguably the modern face of the league.

     

    Even at 33, he remains one of the most explosive scorers in the region.

     

    Fresh off the 2025-26 season with the Adelaide 36ers, Cotton averaged 25.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.6 assists, once again proving why opposing defenses continue to revolve around slowing him down.

     

    Now, those scoring bursts and shot-creation abilities become another problem Gilas must prepare for.

     

    Beyond the talent itself, Cotton’s arrival also highlights Australia’s growing depth entering the road toward the 2027 World Cup.

     

    The Boomers are no longer relying solely on NBA-caliber names and established international veterans.

     

    They are now supplementing that core with dominant NBL stars who already understand the physicality, pace, and demands of FIBA basketball.

     

    For Gilas, the July showdown in Perth suddenly carries an even larger challenge.

     

    Australia was already one of the world’s deepest basketball programs.

     

    With Cotton now officially in the fold, the Boomers may have just become even more dangerous.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas begins new era for Gilas Pilipinas Women after Pat Aquino exit 

    Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas begins new era for Gilas Pilipinas Women after Pat Aquino exit 

    A major reset is quietly unfolding inside the Gilas Pilipinas Women program.

     

    For years, the national team’s rise had been closely tied to the leadership of Pat Aquino — the longtime architect behind some of the country’s biggest breakthroughs in women’s basketball.

     

    Now, with Aquino officially out as head coach, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas appears determined to steer the program toward a completely new direction ahead of a packed international calendar that includes the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in August and the Asian Games in September.

     

    Speaking to reporters on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, SBP Head of Communications Carlo Pamintuan revealed that the federation has already reached an agreement with Aquino’s replacement — though the official announcement is still pending the completion of contract formalities.

     

    “Two things: first, I want to officially say that Gilas Pilipinas Women has already agreed with its upcoming head coach. It’s a name that I cannot announce yet because we’re still finalizing the details of the contract,” Pamintuan said.

     

    “But a lot of the terms have already been agreed upon, and it will be announced, I think in the next two days after everything is signed. So we’re just waiting for the formality before we get to announce it.”

     

    What the SBP has already made clear, however, is the type of direction it wants to pursue.

    Instead of staying local, the federation intentionally leaned toward a foreign coach — a move heavily influenced by conversations with Tom Hovasse, the former Japan men’s and women’s national team mentor who famously guided Japan to a silver medal finish in the 2020 Summer Olympics women’s basketball tournament.

     

    According to Pamintuan, Hovasse was never officially considered for the role itself.

     

    Rather, the decorated coach served as a resource person during the search process as SBP attempted to study the blueprint behind Japan’s sustained success in women’s basketball.

     

    “In terms of Gilas Pilipinas Women, the SBP had a conversation with former Japan Women’s and Men’s head coach Tom Hovasse. But it was never in an interview capacity. He never applied for the job. He was not considered for the job, but his input as a reference was valued by the Federation,” Pamintuan shared.

     

    “We all know that Japan has a really strong women’s program. Currently, I believe they’re number three in Asia, including Australia, China, and Japan. And we want to emulate the same success as Japan. We’ve seen their results so that is why the search for Gilas Pilipinas Women Head Coach skewed towards that direction.” 

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    “So again, we really thank Coach Tom Hovasse for his input. We value everything that he shared with us. But the SBP wants to clarify that he did not apply for the job. He never interviewed for the job. We just were able to talk to him as a reference in terms of helping us find the best candidate we need in this specific time.”

     

    The changes within the program extend beyond the senior team.

     

    In another key development, Bacon Austria has been appointed program director for Gilas Women, adding another experienced Ateneo figure into the national team structure.

     

    Austria recently guided the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a breakthrough Final Four appearance in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament, finishing with an impressive 11-3 record.

    Meanwhile, veteran tactician Sandy Arespacochaga will take over the Gilas Youth Women program, replacing former head coach Julie Amos.

     

    For Arespacochaga, the appointment marks a return to familiar territory after previously serving within the national team setup during his earlier stint with Gilas Youth in 2019.

     

    “I think you have already kind of seen it, but Gilas Pilipinas Youth Women will be led by coach Sandy Arespacochaga. He has been running the practices with the team and they’re already deep in their preparations for their SEABA competitions this June,” Pamintuan said.

     

    The youth squad is currently preparing for the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers set from June 2 to 6 in Bacolod.

     

    Taken together, the moves signal something larger than a simple coaching change.

     

    After years of gradual progress under Aquino, SBP now appears intent on reshaping the entire Gilas Women structure — from the senior squad down to the youth pipeline — in hopes of building a program capable of consistently competing with Asia’s elite.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Chris Newsome’s Sabrina 3 turns Gilas pride into a global sneaker story

    Chris Newsome’s Sabrina 3 turns Gilas pride into a global sneaker story

    Nike recently unveiled the Sabrina 3 dressed in red, white, and blue with a gold Swoosh, a design deeply rooted in Filipino symbolism. But behind that striking palette lies a more personal origin, it was conceptualized by PBA standout Chris Newsome, who has long used Nike’s customization platform to craft personal pairs during his stints with the Meralco Bolts and Gilas Pilipinas.


    For Newsome, however, this release goes beyond style or performance. It represents a narrative shaped by years of representing the country on different stages.

     

    “We had the freedom to choose exactly what we wanted to do, and I wanted to use mine to represent the country,” Newsome said.

     

    That intention eventually aligned with WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, who had her own connection to the Philippines after visiting Manila during her Nike Asia Tour in March 2025. 

     

    Her trip, which included an exhibition game at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, left a lasting impression—one that quietly set the stage for a collaborative project rooted in shared appreciation for Filipino basketball culture.

     

    Unbeknownst to Newsome at the time, he and Gilas Women’s standout Camille Clarin were later selected by Ionescu herself to help bring a special sneaker concept to life.

     

    “They were offering some players here the opportunity to have a shoe that was made by some of the players, and Camille Clarin and I were actually the two that Sabrina remembered, that she chose for us to be able to create,” he said.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    From there, the process became more than design—it turned into storytelling. Video calls with Nike teams guided them through everything from early concepts to final execution, with each detail reflecting Filipino identity and competitive spirit.

     

    The result was the Nike Sabrina 3 “Laban Pilipinas,” a shoe that blends cultural symbolism with performance aesthetics. White serves as the foundation, layered with blue pleated overlays, red Flywire cables, and matching red embroidery. Gold Swooshes on both sides elevate the design, while “LABAN” is engraved on the left midsole and “PHI” on the right—an unmistakable nod to the national rallying cry.

     

    Subtle details tie it all together are Newsome’s number “3” appears in blue on the heel, while an icy outsole grounds the design in performance readiness. Every element, crafted through Nike By You, reflects intentional storytelling rather than mass production.

     

    “It’s a Nike By You campaign. And they want people to kind of get into the customization of making your own shoe and just supporting Sabrina and her line. And she wants to expand her line globally, make a bigger impact,” Newsome said.

     

    The shoe has already made its on-court debut, first appearing during Meralco’s dominant 112–91 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup last May 1 at the Big Dome. It is expected to become a regular fixture in his rotation moving forward.

     

    More than just a PBA statement piece, Newsome is also planning to bring it to the international stage when FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers resumes in July, further extending its symbolic reach as a representation of Filipino basketball pride.

     

    “I’m excited to wear it in our next window come July,” the 34-year-old Gilas Pilipinas guard said.

     

    On the other hand, Newsome and Meralco Bolts currently sit in fourth place with an 8–4 win-loss record and are set to face the Magnolia Hotshots.

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

      Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Nic Cabañero, Jerrick Ahanmisi embrace growing 3×3 scene despite Manila Challenger exit 

    Nic Cabañero, Jerrick Ahanmisi embrace growing 3×3 scene despite Manila Challenger exit 

    For many of the local players who suited up in the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger, the weekend was less about wins and losses and more about discovering how demanding — and rewarding — the global 3×3 game can be.

     

    Even as Philippine teams bowed out of contention Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, players like Nic Cabañero and Jerrick Ahanmisi came away believing the fast-rising format can still elevate their games moving forward.

     

    Cabañero entered the tournament fresh off his stint with Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3 in the recent Asian Beach Games, where the Philippines finished fourth and narrowly missed the podium.

     

    “Super thankful and grateful ako sa experience ko with the Asian Beach Games and of course sa Manila Challenger. Hindi ako makakarating dito kundi dahil kay Ma’am Erica (Dy) and Coach Ryan Guerrero. And of course, si coach Patrick Fran and the rest of the coaches,” said Cabañero.

     

    “Grateful lang talaga ako dahil iba kasi sa feeling pag nag-represent ka sa country. Kaya every time na may mga ganitong call-ups sa akin sa 3×3, take ko talaga yung opportunity doon.”

     

    The former UST standout also believes the 3×3 format is helping sharpen areas of his game that directly translate to traditional basketball.

     

    “And of course, it will help my 5-on-5 game to be developed, especially sa defense and sa offense ko. Mas ma-improve ko siya. And I think feel ko talaga na lalaki pa talaga yung 3×3 dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Cabañero played for SJ Del Monte alongside Aldous Torculas, Gelo Crisostomo, and Lawrence Hawkins. The team absorbed a 21-17 loss to Spain’s Fuengirola before falling to fellow Philippine squad Pasay, 21-18, in the qualifying draw.

     

    Pasay, bannered by Jeff Manday, Zed Etulle, Robbie Herndon, and Jomel Puno, eventually bowed to Fuengirola, 19-13, as the Spanish side advanced to the main draw.

     

    Meanwhile, Mandaluyong — composed of Ahanmisi, Sean Alter, Joseph Eriobu, and Dominick Fajardo — also failed to advance after losses to Germany’s Skyliners and Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy.

     

    For Ahanmisi, however, the tournament marked another important chapter in his growing 3×3 journey.

     

    The Terrafirma Dyip guard recently debuted for Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3 during the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, where the national team reached the quarterfinals.

     

    “I think it’s a really cool experience for me because it’s my first time in the 3×3 scene and I like it because the 3×3 scene is very electrifying, it has a lot of energy in it,” said Ahanmisi.

     

    “And especially with all of the teams around the world, you really want to know that everybody wants to win, right? So playing everybody, it really makes you better. And anything that I learned from the 3×3, I can bring it to 5-on-5.”

     

    While no local squad advanced, the tournament once again showed how Philippine players are increasingly embracing 3×3 — not just as a side event, but as another pathway for growth on the international stage.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Justin Arana, Mike Phillips included in Gilas’ expanded Asian Games long list, says Tim Cone 

    Justin Arana, Mike Phillips included in Gilas’ expanded Asian Games long list, says Tim Cone 

    For Tim Cone, preparing for the 2026 Asian Games is no longer just about finding the best players available.

     

    It is also about preparing for uncertainty.

     

    Still carrying lessons from Gilas Pilipinas’ dramatic gold medal run in Hangzhou, Cone revealed that the national team is taking a far more cautious approach this time by building a much larger pool of possible candidates for the continental meet.

     

    Among those included in the initial long list is Justin Arana, although Cone quickly clarified that the inclusion should not be interpreted as a guaranteed roster spot.

     

    “We needed a long list for the Asian Games so we put a long list together. It’s a list of about 30 names,” said Cone. “Arana is part of that list obviously.”

     

    Cone explained that the expanded list is mainly a safeguard against eligibility complications similar to the ones Gilas encountered during the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the team had to make late adjustments after some players failed to meet eligibility requirements.

     

    Despite the roster chaos at the time, Gilas Pilipinas still completed a memorable gold medal run.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    “This has nothing to do with the windows at this point. This is just strictly for the Asian Games,” Cone clarified, emphasizing that the long list is separate from the core pool being considered for upcoming FIBA competitions.

     

    Cone also confirmed that Mike Phillips — recently classified by FIBA as a local player — is part of the same extended pool.

     

    Rather than locking in combinations early, Cone said the coaching staff wants flexibility this far ahead of the tournament.

     

    “We don’t know the eligibility rules that are going to happen. Last (Asian Games), we had a long list put together and there were players out there that didn’t get eligible,” said the veteran coach.

    “Last Asian Games, we scrambled for players at the very end because the list wasn’t a representative of what the eligibility rules were. So we made a long list [this time] hoping that these guys will be eligible and we will have a bigger pool to pick from.”

     

    For Cone, the expanded list is less about final decisions and more about avoiding the same last-minute problems that once forced Gilas to improvise on the fly before eventually striking gold.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Bennie Boatwright naturalization back on track as Senate hearing set  

    Bennie Boatwright naturalization back on track as Senate hearing set  

    The wait may finally be nearing its turning point for Bennie Boatwright.

     

    After weeks of uncertainty and scheduling conflicts, the path toward his eligibility for Gilas Pilipinas is moving again—this time, with both momentum and a growing body of work to support his case.

     

    The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, chaired by Francis Pangilinan, has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday to resume Boatwright’s naturalization proceedings. This time, the 6-foot-10 forward is expected to be present, marking a key step forward after his earlier absence stalled the process.

     

    That delay came in March, when Boatwright was still fulfilling commitments overseas in Korea. Now back in the Philippines as an active reinforcement for the San Miguel Beermen, the timing finally aligns for both his professional and national team aspirations.

     

    And while the paperwork resumes, Boatwright has been making his case where it matters most—on the court.

     

    Serving as San Miguel’s third import this conference following Marcus Lee and Justin Patton, Boatwright has quickly made his presence felt. In just three games, he has steered the Beermen to a 2-1 record while putting up impressive numbers of 31.7 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    His arrival was nothing short of explosive. In his debut, Boatwright dropped 41 points to power San Miguel to a 98-94 win over the NLEX Road Warriors, immediately showcasing the scoring punch and versatility that make him a strong candidate for Gilas consideration.

     

    That early impact adds another layer to the conversation surrounding his naturalization. He is no longer just a prospective addition—he is a player already proving he can dominate at a high level in the local scene.

     

    Still, the next step lies beyond the hardwood.

     

    The upcoming Senate hearing represents a crucial phase in determining whether Boatwright can officially transition from PBA import to national team mainstay. If approved, he would join the growing list of naturalized players tasked with bolstering the Philippines in international competition.

     

    For now, the focus shifts from stats to proceedings.

     

    But with his performances already turning heads, Boatwright heads into the hearing not just as a candidate—but as a compelling case.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!