TERRAFIRMA Dyip center Geo Chiu was not considered for 2026 Asian Games-bound Gilas Pilipinas squad because he was deemed ineligible for the tournament, head coach Tim Cone said.
Chiu, a former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout, was not among the 30 players initially submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
“Unfortunately Geo was not on the long list and is ineligible,” Cone said in a Viber message to Fastbreak on Friday.
The Terrafirma big man was nevertheless invited to serve as practice player with the national team alongside Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots center Yukien Andrada and TNT Tropang 5G guard Sean Quitevis.
Gilas currently has 11 players traveling with the team, with Cone and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas keeping the 12th spot open for naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who remains under medical evaluation in the United States.
The current 11-man group consists of Robert Bolick, RJ Abarrientos, Sedrick Barefield, Adrian Nocum, Don Trollano, Zavier Lucero, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Brandon Bates.
Brownlee could join the squad if he receives medical clearance in time for the Asian Games.
The Philippines is set to defend its men’s basketball gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya, with its campaign beginning against Bahrain on Sept. 11. (Adrian Co)
