Bulanadi will be leaving together with the national team despite injuring his shoulder during their practice sessions in the bubble at Inspire Sports Academy.

“Sana makalaro ako,” Bulanadi told Spin.ph.

“Susubukan ko ilaro, pero nasa coaches pa din naman desisyon. Pero ready pa din ako kung kailangan nila ako,” he added.

According to Tab Baldwin, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Program Director, including the San Sebastian gunner in the trip felt right for the federation.

“We felt that it’s important for him to be a part of it and even he wants to give it a try,” Baldwin told Sports5.

Although the Bulanadi is keeping his fingers crossed to be part of the 12-man lineup for their games, the SBP program director admitted that he is skeptical that that can happen.

However, Baldwin said, “it’s great to have him along cause he worked hard like everybody else.”

During an interview with 2OT, SBP Special Assistant to President Ryan Gregorio commended the San Sebastian standout for his hard work and passion for the sport, “Itong si Allyn Bulanadi has also worked tremendously on his body because when you take a look at Allyn, he’s probably one of the best shooters we have right now.”

“He reminds me doon sa mga shooters natin dati—probably Allan Caidic in the future if he becomes better or even Jeff Chan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ivorian center Angelo Kouame was left out of the 16-man pool after failing to secure his Filipino citizenship through naturalization to be illegible to play.

The Gilas Cadets sent to Manama included Rey Suerte, Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, Calvin Oftana, Kemark Cariño, Dave Ildefonso, Dwight Ramos, Wil Navarro, Jayde Tungcab, Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, Justin Baltazar, and Kobe Paras.

Gilas Pilipnas has yet to announce its final 12-man lineup before the competition starts.