SEA Games host Thailand to follow FIBA eligibility rules, says SBP exec

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The move by Thailand comes after previous SEA Games host Cambodia nearly won the men's basketball crown after naturalizing multiple American players

MANILA, Philippines – If countries exploited the lax eligibility rules of the Southeast Asian Games basketball competitions in the past, that will not be the case in the upcoming edition to be hosted by Thailand.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy on Friday, May 9, said that Thailand will implement FIBA eligibility rules for the biennial showpiece set from December 7 to 19.

FIBA rules allow national teams to field only one naturalized player, with dual citizens required to obtain the passport of the country they choose to represent by the age of 16 to be considered a local.

“For the SEA Games, it’s going to be tough, especially because we received a circular last week from the hosts and they will be strict on FIBA rules,” said Dy after the SBP National Congress.

The move by Thailand comes after previous SEA Games host Cambodia naturalized American players Darrin Dorsey, Darius Henderson, Dwayne Morgan, Brandon Peterson, and Sayeed Pridgett for its men’s basketball team.

Cambodia won all of its matches from the group stage to the semifinals but fell prey to Gilas Pilipinas in the gold-medal game.

Dorsey, Pridgett, and Peterson also powered Cambodia to the men’s 3×3 basketball crown, beating the all-Filipino crew of Almond Vosotros, Joseph Sedurifa, Lervin Flores, and Joseph Eriobu in the finale.

The Philippines will also be affected by the rule change as it usually sends those who are unable to play as locals in FIBA tournaments to multi-sport events like the SEA Games.

In fact, one-third of the Nationals’ gold-winning crew in Cambodia — Christian Standhardinger, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Mike Phillips, and Chris Ross — are deemed naturalized players under FIBA rules.

The rule change also means that naturalized stalwarts Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame will not be able to join forces just like they did when they helped the country end a decades-long gold drought in the Asian Games in 2023.

“We have been discussing it a lot. We have no concrete plans yet, because there’s a lot of suggestions and we need to carefully study the best way to form a formidable team for this SEA Games,” said Dy.

Gilas Pilipinas will shoot for a record-extending 20th gold in the SEA Games. – Rappler.com