THOUGHTS | JUSTIN CHUA AND ALLEN LIWAG JOIN THE SEAG SQUAD

Norman Black’s Gilas Pilipinas squad for the 2025 SEA Games is now complete.

Originally built around Fil-Am and naturalized players, the final two additions turned out to be PBA free agent and former Ateneo Blue Eagle Justin Chua, and current Benilde Blazer Allen Liwag.

Contrary to what many believe, Thailand isn’t just trying to mess with our basketball program, because they also have problems on their own. Reports suggest that their SEA Games preparation is currently under fire for several issues. Yes, they’ve reached a ceasefire in their dispute with Cambodia, but the country—set to host the biennial meet—is allegedly unprepared. They’re dealing with technical problems, budget constraints, public criticism, and political oversight.

If you think the Philippines is in a rut these days, Thailand allegedly has it worse. And perhaps this severely restricted Gilas Pilipinas roster is their way of keeping things manageable for their own fans. When they disallowed our best players, they also restricted theirs. Just like the Philippines, they are expected to use their top pro-league players, but unlike us, their basketball talent pool isn’t as deep.

At least, theoretically.

Since the SEA Games is more of a regional showcase rather than a tournament under a strict international governing body, the host country has a bit more leeway. When we hosted, we included arnis. Meanwhile, Thailand thrives in combat sports such as Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, and boxing—so expect a little hometown advantage there. They also feature sports like netball, woodball, teqball, and floorball. While these are played in many places around the world, we realistically don’t have professional athletes in them. Add in regional staples like sepak takraw, pencak silat, and kabaddi—originally from India but popular in parts of South and Southeast Asia—and you can imagine how the medal table might tilt.

Back to basketball: I can see this move as a way to “level the playing field,” given that the Philippines is the only Southeast Asian nation competing in the 2025 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Honestly, I can’t blame them.

Now for the picks. Justin Chua is a solid choice to close out the roster. He’s not the type to shock fans with flashy play, but he has proven himself as a dependable defensive anchor in the PBA.

The bigger question mark is Allen Liwag. Yes—Liwag is arguably the best local frontcourt talent in college basketball today. He’s the reigning NCAA MVP and has already gained international exposure through Strong Group Athletics.

The problem is timing. As of this writing, Benilde is still in contention in the NCAA. If San Beda eliminates the Blazers in the semifinals, then Liwag will have plenty of time to learn Norman Black’s system. But what if he forces a Game 3 decider on December 7 and leads Benilde to the NCAA Finals?

The Season 101 Finals begin on December 10, with a potential Game 3 scheduled for December 16. Remember: the Abra Weavers already pulled Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman, and Geo Chiu from Gilas due to MPBL Finals preparation. If Benilde loses Liwag to the SEA Games, they might once again fall short in their bid to shed their “perennial bridesmaid” tag.

Last season, the Blazers lost to the Mapua Cardinals in the Finals, with Liwag serving as Charles Tiu’s main offensive focal point. In their Game 1 loss this year in the semis, Liwag was limited to seven points and ten rebounds. And while Shawn Umali and Justine Sanchez stepped up, losing Liwag again would create a massive talent gap inside.

He also missed five of their 15 games this season due to injury, making this double-duty stretch a legitimate health risk.

That said, his spot on the Gilas roster might be Norman Black’s insurance policy. And if Liwag becomes available, Black suddenly gains a two-way inside presence—someone who can score and defend effectively. In many ways, this could serve as Liwag’s Gilas audition.

Yes, he’s only 6'6, but the country badly needs a 100% Filipino frontliner. He has a smooth mid-range stroke, but his bread and butter is still interior play. With PBA teams prioritizing size in the 2025 Draft—evident in Mario Barasi and Dave Ando being drafted high—Liwag could be the next big college product if we can’t tap players like Michael Phillips, Geo Chiu, Justin Arana, or Justine Baltazar.

Now that the roster is set, the next hurdle is the real opponent. Gilas Pilipinas is essentially the “Team USA” of Southeast Asia, and the last thing Norman Black wants is a fourth silver finish.

The most painful collapse came in 2021, when Gilas lost to Indonesia despite a roster coached by Chot Reyes and featuring June Mar Fajardo, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Mo Tautuaa, Kevin Alas, Will Navarro, Isaac Go, Kib Montalbo, and Lebron Lopez.

From that group, Wright and Thirdy return to reclaim the gold we should never have lost. Yes, we redeemed ourselves in 2023, but that 2021 blunder still stings. We all remember how Chot Reyes was trolled afterward.

Because of that history, the pressure on Norman Black is enormous. Even the slightest hint of defeat could hurt not just him, but also the SBP’s credibility—especially if Thailand really planned this roster-restriction strategy all along.