Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio announced that they will be choosing for the final-12 roster for the Feb. 18-22 battle from its homegrown crew and not utilize either Christian Standhardinger or Stanley Pringle for the slot.

Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Justin Chua, and Raul Soyud are among the ballers in the 20-man pool which is also composed of several young contenders. 

“Yung mga players lang na nasa loob ng Calamba yung pag-pipilian natin,” said Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to Panlilio. 

Naturalized player prospect Ange Kouame is part of the 19-man training pool currently in Laguna but is not eligible to play for the final window due to his naturalization papers yet to get the approval from Congress.

“He won’t be able to make it in this window but our hope is by the August FIBA event in Indonesia (FIBA Asia Cup tournament proper); we’re hoping by that time Ange will be available,” said Panlilio.

With this, Panlilio said the SBP thought of the option of tapping Standhardinger or Pringle, whom FIBA recognizes as “naturalized” due to technicalities.

“We have thought about that but it might be difficult for various reasons. So right now, the people in the bubble are the candidates to play the third window,” shared Panlilio.

The SBP said that bringing Kai Sotto to the training bubble remains the top priority for Gilas.

“Right now we’re all just waiting for Kai to arrive,” said Gregorio.

Gilas is all-out preparing for two duels in Group A; South Korea powered by former PBA import Ricardo Ratliffe (now known as Ra Gun Ah) and Indonesia fueled by Lester Prosper.