New rules allow high-caliber Gilas to strut stuff in Cambodia

MANILA, Philippines — Under new rules, the Philippines could field any player carrying a Philippine passport in its bid to reclaim the precious gold medal in men’s basketball in the Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino yesterday revealed that the country could field Justin Brownlee, who is in the final process of naturalization, along with Fil-Am NBA star Jordan Clarkson.

Even Christian Standhardinger or Stanley Pringle, both Philippine passport holders, could play as locals in the biennial event set May 5 to 17 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia if they and the country want to.

“Yes, kahit buong lima,” said Tolentino.

In the past, the SEA Games only allowed one naturalized player per country. Worse, the likes of Standhardinger and Pringle were considered as naturalized players.

The PhilCycling chief said Brownlee could soon have his Philippine passport in time for the Games in the Cambodian capital.

“Pasok sa SEA Games, sigurado naman aabot si Brownlee at baka ma-process na passport nya,” said the mayor from Tagaytay.

“Ano ba ang allowed, passport lang naman. Sa iba nga hari lang pumipirma sa Thailand, baka surpresahin naman tayo sa Cambodia ng kung sino sinong players, baka ex-NBA andun,” he added.

The country’s 33-year basketball reign in the region ended after a heartbreaking 85-81 defeat to Indonesia last year in Hanoi to the collective disappointment of a basketball-crazy nation.

And thanks to this new “passport” rule, one could expect the Philippines to throw in everything, including the kitchen sink, just to reclaim that one gold that got away.