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  • SBP confident long Gilas stint can strengthen squad for FIBA, Asian Games campaigns

    SBP confident long Gilas stint can strengthen squad for FIBA, Asian Games campaigns

    With the second round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers immediately followed by the 2026 Asian Games, the national team is set to spend more than a month together—a stretch Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy believes could strengthen the squad heading into two major international competitions.


    “It’s a good development for us that the Asian Games will happen almost immediately after the (FIBA) windows,” Dy said.

     

    The extended campaign begins with Gilas assembling for training in the Philippines once the PBA Governors’ Cup pauses on Aug. 15. After more than two weeks of preparation, the team will head to South Korea for a pair of tune-up games before flying directly to Japan for the Asian Games.

     

    “We leave for Korea on September 3 because we will be playing friendlies against the Korean national team on the 4th and 6th,” said the SBP executive on the sidelines of the Hustle 5: EASL Future Champions championship game between Cebu and Macau.

     

    “Tapos on the 7th, diretso na tayo sa Asian Games.”

     

    This year’s schedule offers little downtime. Unlike previous editions where other sports opened the competition, men’s basketball will be among the first events to begin even before the official opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Japan, marking the tournament’s return to the country since Hiroshima hosted the event in 1994.

     

    “Basketball in the Asian Games will start earlier than the opening ceremony itself. So September 10 to 20 ang men’s basketball,” said Dy.

     

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    “Diretso tayo halos isang buwan or even more than a month na magkakasama yung mga players natin,” she added.

     

    Before shifting its focus to the Asian Games, Gilas faces crucial business in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. The Philippines hosts Jordan on Aug. 28 and Iran on Aug. 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena as the second round gets underway.

     

    The Nationals enter the next phase looking to recover from back-to-back losses to New Zealand and Australia in the third qualifying window earlier this month. Those defeats left Gilas tied with Syria for fifth place in Group E with a 2-4 record.

     

    Australia remains unbeaten atop the standings at 6-0, while Iran and Jordan share second place with identical 5-1 slates. New Zealand sits fourth at 4-2.

     

    The compressed schedule also leaves room for adjustments in the national team roster. Because eligibility rules differ between FIBA competitions and the Asian Games, some changes are expected, although Dy emphasized that the foundation of the squad will remain largely the same.

     

    “There might be a few changes, but the core of the team should be intact. Those who weren’t eligible in Fiba competition as a local, we can consider them to play for the Asian Games,” she said. 

     

    Maintaining that continuity could prove valuable as Gilas attempts to improve its standing in the World Cup qualifiers before turning its attention to another chance at regional success in the Asian Games, where an extended period together may become one of the team’s biggest advantages.

     

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  • Malick Diouf, Elizabeth Means officially receive Philippine passports after naturalization 

    Malick Diouf, Elizabeth Means officially receive Philippine passports after naturalization 

    The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has taken another major step toward strengthening its 3×3 national basketball program after Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Means officially received their Philippine passports on Wednesday.


    The federation marked the milestone by sharing photos of both players taking their oath of allegiance to the Philippines at the House of Representatives before completing passport processing at the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs.

     

    Their passports formally complete the final stage of a journey that began when they became Filipino citizens on May 18. Diouf and Means were granted Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 12318 and Republic Act 12319, respectively, after the measures lapsed into law without the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

     

    Celebrating the occasion, the SBP welcomed its newest Filipino athletes.

     

    “Filipinos, finally! Maodo Malick Diouf and Beth [Means] have secured their Philippine passports and are now officially Filipino citizens.”

     

    The federation also acknowledged the Office of the President and members of Congress for supporting the naturalization process that made the development possible.

     

    With their Philippine passports now secured, both players are officially eligible to represent the country in international 3×3 competitions under Gilas Pilipinas, adding valuable depth to the national pool ahead of future tournaments.

     

    “This is an important step in the right direction for Gilas Pilipinas 3×3,” SBP stated.

     

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    For Means, the milestone brings an opportunity she has long anticipated. Having competed in several local tournaments, including the inaugural Cebu Hustle 3×3, she is eager to finally wear the Philippine colors on the international stage.

     

    “Oh my gosh, it has been a process, and I’m so excited.”

     

    Means played collegiate basketball for Westminster University in NCAA Division II and traces her Filipino roots to Naga City in Camarines Sur.

     

    Diouf, meanwhile, already has an established basketball résumé in the Philippines. During his stint with the University of the Philippines in the UAAP, he emerged as one of the league’s most dominant players, capturing both the UAAP Finals MVP award and the season’s Most Valuable Player honors in 2022.

     

    While celebrating the completion of Diouf’s and Means’ citizenship process, the SBP has already turned its attention to another key target.

     

    The federation remains hopeful that Bennie Boatwright’s naturalization will be finalized before the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

     

    Boatwright’s naturalization bill was approved on third and final reading on June 17 and, like those of Diouf and Means, could become law without the President’s signature after 30 days from receipt.

     

    Should Boatwright complete the process in time and secure his Philippine passport, the SBP could enter the continental competition with another significant reinforcement as it continues to build a more competitive Gilas Pilipinas program.

     

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  • SBP focuses on development after UST, FEU fall short in NBA Rising Stars Invitational 

    SBP focuses on development after UST, FEU fall short in NBA Rising Stars Invitational 

    The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) backed UST Junior Growling Tigresses and FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws as the two teams represented the Philippines in the Singapore tournament, which brought together elite youth teams from 11 Asia-Pacific countries in a showcase of emerging basketball talent across the region.

     

    Both Philippine squads faced tough international competition, with the defending UAAP girls’ basketball champions from UST suffering a narrow 81-78 loss to Australia’s Rowville Secondary College. Meanwhile, the reigning UAAP boys’ basketball champions from FEU Diliman fell to Japan’s Tottori Johoku High School, 81-75.

     

    Despite the setbacks, the SBP emphasized that the tournament served as a valuable development opportunity for the young athletes as they gained experience against different playing styles and basketball cultures.

     

    SBP Executive Director Erika Dy traveled to Singapore to personally support the Philippine delegation, joining UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag in watching the teams compete on the international stage.


    Rather than focusing on the losses, Dy pointed to the exposure gained by the players and coaches throughout the tournament.

     

    “Well, it’s a very good experience for both the players and the coaches. I was able to talk to some of the staff members of both our boys and girls team here, and they’re very happy about the exposure that the players are receiving or getting from this tournament,” Dy said.

     

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    Beyond competition, Dy also highlighted the importance of building connections among athletes and basketball officials from different countries. She described the tournament as a platform where young players could develop relationships that could benefit them in future international competitions.

     

    “And on my end, I think one thing that they can really take home is the sports diplomacy that’s involved here. So you can see the players making friends with other players from the other countries and carrying themselves really well. So that’s something for sure they will bring to the national team also once they make it there,” she said.

     

    That focus on long-term development was also echoed by Saguisag, who stressed that the tournament was about creating opportunities and strengthening the basketball community beyond borders.

     

    “Right now, it’s not necessarily bringing home [the championship], but really expanding the global community, networking to begin with, just establishing new linkages and bridges.” he said.

     

    With the NBA Rising Stars Invitational experience now added to their journey, the UST Junior Growling Tigresses and FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws return home with lessons that extend beyond wins and losses. For the SBP, these international opportunities are part of the bigger mission of preparing young Filipino players for the global basketball stage.

     

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  • SBP eyes Bennie Boatwright’s Asian Games debut as naturalization nears completion  

    SBP eyes Bennie Boatwright’s Asian Games debut as naturalization nears completion  

    Gilas Pilipinas’ bid to defend its Asian Games crown may soon receive a major boost—not through a new recruitment drive, but through the final steps of a long-running process.

     

    The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is now racing against time to complete Bennie Boatwright’s naturalization before the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, where the federation hopes the former San Miguel import can finally wear Philippine colors in official competition.

     

    For months, Boatwright’s availability has depended less on basketball and more on paperwork.

    According to SBP Executive Director Erika Dy, the federation is now waiting for House Bill 6639 to officially become law after it secured Senate approval on third and final reading.

     

    “The goal is paabutin siya (Boatwright),” Dy said, referring to the national team’s target of having the 6-foot-10 forward eligible in time for the continental meet.

     

    The legislation now only requires the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. If no action is taken within the constitutional period, it will automatically lapse into law.

     

    “So yan ang hinihintay natin,” Dy explained.

     

    “After nun, mag-oathtaking na siya and makakakuha na siya ng naturalization certificate sa BI (Bureau of Immigration) and yun ang dadalhin natin sa DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) para ma-issue-han siya ng passport.”

     

    Once those formalities are completed, Boatwright is expected to immediately return to the Philippines.

     

    The 29-year-old University of Southern California product had remained in the country during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup not only to reinforce San Miguel Beer but also to attend Senate hearings related to his citizenship application before eventually returning to the United States to spend time with his family.

     

    “As soon as pwede na siyang mag-oathtaking, puwede na siyang bumalik ulit,” Dy said.

    Boatwright’s arrival would give Gilas another proven scorer with familiarity in Philippine basketball.

     

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    The American big man first suited up for San Miguel in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup, leading the Beermen to the championship after defeating Magnolia in the Finals. His previous stint in the PBA also works in his favor under Asian Games eligibility rules.

     

    “Ang rule kasi sa Asian Games is there’s no limit sa naturalized players. Ang definition kasi nila dyan is as long as you’re in the country for three years. And alam naman natin si Bennie first played for San Miguel three years ago, so papasok siya dun sa residency rule,” Dy explained.

     

    That eligibility could allow national team head coach Tim Cone to deploy Boatwright alongside longtime Gilas naturalized player Justin Brownlee, potentially giving the Philippines one of its deepest frontcourts in recent years as it seeks to defend the gold medal won in Hangzhou.

     

    Boatwright’s naturalization process could have been completed earlier had his return to the Philippines not been delayed by his commitment with Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in the Korean Basketball League.

     

    Meanwhile, two other Gilas hopefuls are already nearing the finish line.

     

    Naturalized basketball prospects Malick Diouf and Elizabeth Means have already completed their oath-taking ceremonies and are now awaiting the release of their naturalization certificates before securing Philippine passports.

     

    “Tapos na silang mag-oathtaking, so for release na lang sa BI yung naturalization certificates nila, and then diretso na yan sa DFA for their passports,” Dy said.

     

    With the legal process entering its final stage, Gilas Pilipinas now waits for the last signature that could pave the way for another key piece in its quest to remain Asia’s basketball champion.

     

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  • Philippines offers to host postponed FIBA Asian Qualifiers amid Middle East tensions

    Philippines offers to host postponed FIBA Asian Qualifiers amid Middle East tensions

    The Philippines may once again find itself at the center of international basketball — not just as a competitor, but as a stabilizing force.


    With rising tensions in the Middle East forcing the postponement of several games in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has stepped forward with a proposal: bring the cancelled matches to Manila.

     

    SBP president Ricky Vargas revealed that he personally relayed the offer to Hagop Khajirian during halftime of the Gilas Pilipinas-Australia clash at the Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    “I told Hagop about it, that we can host the games here if FIBA wants it,” said Vargas, who also serves as chairman of the PBA Board.

     

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    Just hours before Gilas faced Australia, the same arena staged a non-host matchup between China men’s national basketball team and Chinese Taipei men’s national basketball team — proof, Vargas implied, that the country can handle logistical demands beyond its own fixtures. China erased a late deficit to secure a 100-93 victory in front of a modest Pasay crowd.

     

    The offer comes after FIBA postponed four Window 2 games due to security concerns following escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. 

     

    The affected matchups include Iraq versus Jordan and Iran against Syria in Group C, along with Lebanon versus India and Qatar against Saudi Arabia in Group D. Except for the Saudi-Qatar game set in Riyadh, all were originally scheduled to be played in Lebanon.

     

    According to SBP executive director Erika Dy, FIBA has decided that the postponed contests will now be integrated into the third window.

     

    “So there will be more games to be played by these teams in the third window,” she said.

    For now, the ball is in FIBA’s hands. But the Philippines’ willingness to step in underscores a broader ambition — to be more than just a basketball nation obsessed with its own team. 

     

    In uncertain times, it is positioning itself as a dependable host, ready to keep the games going when circumstances elsewhere cannot.

     

    Beyond logistics, the proposal carries symbolic weight. At a time when geopolitical tensions threaten to disrupt sporting calendars, the Philippines is signaling its commitment to keeping competition alive and athletes on the court. 

     

    Should FIBA accept the offer, it would not only ease scheduling challenges but also showcase how basketball can serve as a bridge in turbulent times — with Manila once again providing the stage for the game. 

     

     

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