Gilas Pilipinas Draws Malaysia, Vietnam in SEA Games Group Stage

by Raymund Tamayo

Jamie Malonzo (13). Photo: FIBA.

Gilas Pilipinas now knows its first hurdles in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, landing in a three-team bracket with Malaysia and Vietnam as the men’s basketball tournament fires off at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.

The defending champions open their title-retention bid on December 14 against Malaysia, followed by a December 15 showdown with Vietnam. Both games tip off at 11:30 a.m. in Bangkok; that’s 12:30 p.m. for fans watching back home.

Gilas anchors Group A, while Group B features host Thailand, regional rival Indonesia, Singapore, and Myanmar. 

The format is simple but punishing: the top team of each group advances straight to the semifinals, while the second and third-place squads collide in crossover play-in games for the remaining Final Four slots. The winners move on to the December 18 semis, with the gold medal game set for December 19.

This year’s Gilas lineup is a separate unit from the pool competing in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with Norman Black returning to the SEA Games sidelines as head coach. 

Justin Brownlee (32). Photo: FIBA.

Early commitments included a star-studded cast—Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Ray Parks, Matt Wright, Remy Martin, Thirdy Ravena, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman, Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi, Veejay Pre, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

But the picture is shifting.

Recent developments indicate that naturalized players will not be permitted in the 5-on-5 event. As a result, Jamie Malonzo and Geo Chiu are expected to take the spots originally slotted for Brownlee and Kouame. While the SBP has yet to issue an official announcement, multiple sources have confirmed that both names have made the updated roster.

If finalized, Malonzo would be the lone representative from the main Gilas pool suiting up for the SEA Games, a welcome boost for the squad and a critical opportunity for the athletic forward, who is also being eyed for the World Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Guam. He is currently a free agent after recently parting ways with Kyoto in the B. League.

Chiu, meanwhile, comes in fresh from a strong MPBL campaign with the title-favorite Abra Weavers and is newly anointed as Terrafirma’s No. 1 overall pick in the PBA Season 50 Draft.

Ange Kouame (34) boxes out former NBA star Boban Marjanovic. Photo: FIBA.

As for Kouame, the Gilas big man is still SEA Games-bound, just in a different format. The Ivorian-Filipino center confirmed he will reinforce the 3x3 team alongside Joseph Eriobu, Janrey Pasaol, and Joseph Sedurifa.

With roster tweaks still unfolding and group assignments now locked in, Gilas’ path is officially laid out. The mission remains the same: protect the crown.