Eleven (11) PBA players will lead Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team in its gold medal defense in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The 11-man group is scheduled to leave for Seoul Wednesday ahead of two friendly matches against the South Korean squad in Suwon on Friday and Sunday.
The players making the trip are Brandon Bates, Adrian Nocum, Robert Bolick, Sedrick Barefield, Don Trollano, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Zavier Lucero, RJ Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana and Jerrick Ahanmisi.
The group will serve as the core of the Philippines’ Asian Games squad as head coach Tim Cone continues preparations for the continental competition.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is keeping the 12th and final roster spot open for Justin Brownlee, who is still recovering from injuries.
“Justin Brownlee is still 50-50 depending on if he feels fit enough,” Gilas head coach Tim Cone told Fastbreak in Viber message on Wednesday.
Fastbreak columnist Homer Sayson, for his part, reported that Brownlee will have a couple more doctors’ visits in hopes of getting medically cleared to join the national team in the Asiad, as per his informant.
Gilas opens its Asian Games campaign against Bahrain on Sept. 11 before facing Kazakhstan on Sept. 12 and China on Sept. 14. (Adrian Co)
