THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has made changes to the roster of the Gilas Pilipinas squad that will compete in the 19th Asian Games after the tournament organizers rebuffed the eligibility status of Calvin Abueva, Jason Perkins, Terrence Romeo, Stanley Pringle and Mo Tautuaa.
Abueva and Perkins were not part of the initial list of 60 players that the SBP submitted to the Philippine Olympic Committee in March, while Romeo, Pringle and Tautuaa were not part of the list of 37 that was forwarded to the organizers at a later date.
In their place, the SBP and the PBA announced during a press conference on Sept. 19. 2023 that they are tapping the services of guards Chris Ross, Kevin Alas, CJ Perez and Arvin Tolentino.
The said players will join a Gilas roster led by six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson and naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.
In related news, Cebuano wingman Roger Pogoy has also begged off from the team as he recovers from an undisclosed medical condition. He will be replaced by sharpshooter Marcio Lassiter. / JNP