Gilas Pilipinas without Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu for Asian Games

Gilas Pilipinas’ Dwight Ramos being helped up by his teammates during a game vs New Zealand in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers in Auckland. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— Gilas Pilipinas will be without Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu in its bid to defend the men’s basketball gold medal in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy confirmed Tuesday that both players are unavailable due to their commitments to the Japan B.League Manila Games on Sept. 9 and 10.

READ: Gilas includes Justin Arana, Mike Phillips in Asian Games pool

“I think it’s safe to say that Dwight and AJ won’t be available because they’re playing in the B. League Manila Games. There’s a schedule conflict with the Asian Games, so they won’t be able to join us,”,” Dy said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

Ramos plays for Levanga Hokkaido, while Edu suits up for the Gunma Crane Thunders.

Dy also revealed that the SBP has already submitted a shortlist of players to the Asian Games organizing committee, although the final 12-man roster has yet to be determined.

“We already submitted a shortlist, but it’s not final. Just like in the Southeast Asian Games, changes can still be made, so even though we’ve submitted a shortlist, it’s not yet the final roster,” she said.

READ: Gilas’ tough schedule a ‘good development,’ says SBP exec

The shortlist was drawn from the earlier 30-man pool submitted by the SBP, with Dy saying the core of the current Gilas squad is expected to anchor the country’s title defense.

“Out of that 30-plus, Gilas’ mainstays are there,” she said.

Dy added that the pool also includes players who are ineligible to play as locals in Fiba competitions but are eligible for the Asian Games, which is not sanctioned by the sport’s world governing body, including Brandon Bates and Sedrick Barefield.

The SBP has also submitted the women’s national team’s shortlist under new coach BT Toews.