SEAG: Cambodia basketball rosters stir debate on citizenship rules

Levi Joshua Verora Jr.

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='From the Cambodia Basketball Federation' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/sports/05/07/20230507-3x3.jpg' ><figcaption><em>From the Cambodia Basketball Federation</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The Cambodian national basketball team’s decision to field multiple foreign players in both men’s and women’s lineups have sparked a debate on whether current Southeast Asian (SEA) Games player eligibility rules should be changed.</p><p>The Cambodian men’s team captured the 3x3 gold after beating the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team, 20-15 behind the efforts of Brandon Peterson, Darrinray Dorsey, Sayeed Alkabir Pridgett, and local Tep Chhorath who was barely used throughout the two-day competition.</p><p>The women’s side, however, did not enjoy the same success. The all-naturalized selection composed of Brittany Binkins, Mariah Cooks, Kimberly Hanlon, and Meighan Simmons faltered to the Philippines in the semifinals, 21-20, before dropping the battle for bronze medal match to Indonesia, 21-15.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/07/23/sea-games-gilas-men-bow-to-cambodia-in-3x3-final'>SEA Games: Gilas Men bow to Cambodia in 3x3 final</a></li></ul><p>Such rosters have raised a few eyebrows even before the 5-on-5 competition has kicked off. Vietnam women’s basketball coach Horace Phuc Tam Nguyen said he was personally surprised by Cambodia’s decision to go the route it did by reinforcing its squads with foreigners.</p><p>“I was definitely caught by surprise with what Cambodia did. Technically, they are following the rules and guidelines. But, for future SEA Games, this situation has to be resolved and the rules need to be specifically laid out with more clarity,” Nguyen said.</p><p>Gilas Women mentor Patrick Aquino, meanwhile, mentioned focusing on preparing better in the 5-on-5 competition as the Philippines seeks to complete a gold medal three-peat.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/07/23/seag-gilas-women-fall-to-vietnam-take-silver-in-3x3'>SEA Games: Gilas Women fall to Vietnam, take silver in 3x3</a></li></ul><p>“Those are their rules and we can’t do anything about it. Ang sa atin lang, we have to prepare well going into these games now,” Aquino said.</p><p>Cambodian homegrown player Joshua Bo Noung likewise cried foul on the matter with strong comments in a lengthy post on his social media accounts.</p><blockquote class='instagram-media' data-instgrm-permalink='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' data-instgrm-version='14' style=' background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);'><div style='padding:16px;'><div style=' display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;'><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;'> </div><div style='display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;'><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;'> </div><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;'> </div></div></div><div style='padding: 19% 0;'> </div><div style='display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;'><a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' style=' background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;' target='_blank'><svg height='50px' version='1.1' viewbox='0 0 60 60' width='50px' xmlns='https://www.w3.org/2000/svg' xmlns:xlink='https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'><g fill='none' fill-rule='evenodd' stroke='none' stroke-width='1'><g fill='#000000' transform='translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)'><g><path d='M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631'></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div><div style='padding-top: 8px;'><div style=' color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;'><a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' style=' background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;' target='_blank'>View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style='padding: 12.5% 0;'> </div><div style='display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;'><div><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);'> </div><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;'> </div><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);'> </div></div><div style='margin-left: 8px;'><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;'> </div><div style=' width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)'> </div></div><div style='margin-left: auto;'><div style=' width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);'> </div><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);'> </div><div style=' width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);'> </div></div></div><div style='display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;'><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;'> </div><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;'> </div></div><p style=' color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;'><a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' style=' color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;' target='_blank'>A post shared by Boramey Joshua Bo Noung (@bonoung24)</a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async src='//www.instagram.com/embed.js' type='text/javascript'></script></p><p>“The fact that I’m watching players that have no heritage or as much pride for my Cambodian people like many like myself is disheartening and disappointing,” he wrote.</p><p>After playing his high school basketball in the state of Georgia, Bo Noung received a few offers to play in the US NCAA Division 1 level. He has since dedicated himself to coaching the next generation of local Cambodian talents.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/07/23/ph-sends-better-gilas-team-in-bid-to-reclaim-seag-gold'>SEA Games: PH sends 'better' Gilas team in bid to reclaim title in Cambodia</a></li></ul><p>“I have been working with players in Cambodia and players here in the United States. We have the talent,” he said.</p><p>In his post, Bo Noung mentioned trying to make the 2023 SEA Games lineup, but his request was denied.</p><p>“I know there are many rules that govern sportsmanship behavior of each delegation. Even if everything checks out, I don’t like the desperation of the decisions. There are many ways to improve. First off is to develop a better philosophy of winning basketball,” he added.</p><p>Unlike FIBA, which only allows one naturalized player and locals who have acquired passports before the age of 16 in its competitions, the SEA Games only has a passport-only policy, regardless of when it was acquired; historically, the relaxed rules have allowed for FIBA-ineligible athletes to shine in the biennial sporting event in the past.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/06/23/sea-games-gilas-men-complete-group-stage-sweep-in-3x3'>SEA Games: Gilas Men complete group stage sweep in 3x3</a></li></ul><p>The long list includes Chris Ross, Christian Standhardinger, and Stanley Pringle from the Philippines, Antonio Price from Thailand, Chris Dierker and Christian Juzang from Vietnam, and Dame Diagne from Indonesia.</p><p>Bo Noung, however, argues that heritage players from other countries have legitimate descent and connections to the countries they represent, either through their parents or families, or staying in the respective homelands – something not present from Cambodia’s present naturalized talents.</p><p>“I don’t think Cambodia knows how to train players. They resort to this for immediate success, but they have to understand the pride in representing the people of Cambodia all around the world. Losing is part of learning to become better. Winning without integrity isn’t winning,” he said.</p><p>Cambodia is reportedly expected to field even more naturalized players in the 5-on-5 events, including six in the men’s team and four in the women’s team as the hosts try to perform competitively at home.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/06/23/sea-games-gilas-women-advance-to-3x3-semis'>SEA Games: Gilas Women advance to 3x3 semis</a></li></ul><p>In contrast, Gilas is fielding only one naturalized player – Justin Brownlee for the five-on-five event as part of its "redeem team". Indonesia, on the other hand, has former PBA import Lester Prosper, who has been with the team since 2019, and Anthony Beane.</p><p>The defending men’s 5-on-5 winners sought to include 2021 gold medalist Marques Bolden to the final roster, but the former Cleveland Cavalier was not available.</p><p>“I think it is a little too much for Cambodians and the other countries to swallow. I am a little embarrassed for Cambodians. Because this is not our way to resort to not giving our own people a shot at competing," Bo Noung said.</p><p><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hscPOb5PzyM?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div>

<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/07/23/sea-games-gilas-men-bow-to-cambodia-in-3x3-final'>SEA Games: Gilas Men bow to Cambodia in 3x3 final</a></li></ul><p>Such rosters have raised a few eyebrows even before the 5-on-5 competition has kicked off. Vietnam women’s basketball coach Horace Phuc Tam Nguyen said he was personally surprised by Cambodia’s decision to go the route it did by reinforcing its squads with foreigners.</p><p>“I was definitely caught by surprise with what Cambodia did. Technically, they are following the rules and guidelines. But, for future SEA Games, this situation has to be resolved and the rules need to be specifically laid out with more clarity,” Nguyen said.</p><p>Gilas Women mentor Patrick Aquino, meanwhile, mentioned focusing on preparing better in the 5-on-5 competition as the Philippines seeks to complete a gold medal three-peat.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/07/23/seag-gilas-women-fall-to-vietnam-take-silver-in-3x3'>SEA Games: Gilas Women fall to Vietnam, take silver in 3x3</a></li></ul><p>“Those are their rules and we can’t do anything about it. Ang sa atin lang, we have to prepare well going into these games now,” Aquino said.</p><p>Cambodian homegrown player Joshua Bo Noung likewise cried foul on the matter with strong comments in a lengthy post on his social media accounts.</p><blockquote class='instagram-media' data-instgrm-permalink='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' data-instgrm-version='14' style=' background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);'><div style='padding:16px;'><div style=' display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;'><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;'> </div><div style='display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;'><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;'> </div><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;'> </div></div></div><div style='padding: 19% 0;'> </div><div style='display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;'><a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' style=' background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;' target='_blank'><svg height='50px' version='1.1' viewbox='0 0 60 60' width='50px' xmlns='https://www.w3.org/2000/svg' xmlns:xlink='https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'><g fill='none' fill-rule='evenodd' stroke='none' stroke-width='1'><g fill='#000000' transform='translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)'><g><path d='M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631'></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div><div style='padding-top: 8px;'><div style=' color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;'><a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' style=' background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;' target='_blank'>View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style='padding: 12.5% 0;'> </div><div style='display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;'><div><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);'> </div><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;'> </div><div style='background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);'> </div></div><div style='margin-left: 8px;'><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;'> </div><div style=' width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)'> </div></div><div style='margin-left: auto;'><div style=' width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);'> </div><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);'> </div><div style=' width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);'> </div></div></div><div style='display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;'><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;'> </div><div style=' background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;'> </div></div><p style=' color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;'><a href='https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6IwRlL8Km/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading' style=' color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;' target='_blank'>A post shared by Boramey Joshua Bo Noung (@bonoung24)</a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async src='//www.instagram.com/embed.js' type='text/javascript'></script></p><p>“The fact that I’m watching players that have no heritage or as much pride for my Cambodian people like many like myself is disheartening and disappointing,” he wrote.</p><p>After playing his high school basketball in the state of Georgia, Bo Noung received a few offers to play in the US NCAA Division 1 level. He has since dedicated himself to coaching the next generation of local Cambodian talents.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/07/23/ph-sends-better-gilas-team-in-bid-to-reclaim-seag-gold'>SEA Games: PH sends 'better' Gilas team in bid to reclaim title in Cambodia</a></li></ul><p>“I have been working with players in Cambodia and players here in the United States. We have the talent,” he said.</p><p>In his post, Bo Noung mentioned trying to make the 2023 SEA Games lineup, but his request was denied.</p><p>“I know there are many rules that govern sportsmanship behavior of each delegation. Even if everything checks out, I don’t like the desperation of the decisions. There are many ways to improve. First off is to develop a better philosophy of winning basketball,” he added.</p><p>Unlike FIBA, which only allows one naturalized player and locals who have acquired passports before the age of 16 in its competitions, the SEA Games only has a passport-only policy, regardless of when it was acquired; historically, the relaxed rules have allowed for FIBA-ineligible athletes to shine in the biennial sporting event in the past.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/06/23/sea-games-gilas-men-complete-group-stage-sweep-in-3x3'>SEA Games: Gilas Men complete group stage sweep in 3x3</a></li></ul><p>The long list includes Chris Ross, Christian Standhardinger, and Stanley Pringle from the Philippines, Antonio Price from Thailand, Chris Dierker and Christian Juzang from Vietnam, and Dame Diagne from Indonesia.</p><p>Bo Noung, however, argues that heritage players from other countries have legitimate descent and connections to the countries they represent, either through their parents or families, or staying in the respective homelands – something not present from Cambodia’s present naturalized talents.</p><p>“I don’t think Cambodia knows how to train players. They resort to this for immediate success, but they have to understand the pride in representing the people of Cambodia all around the world. Losing is part of learning to become better. Winning without integrity isn’t winning,” he said.</p><p>Cambodia is reportedly expected to field even more naturalized players in the 5-on-5 events, including six in the men’s team and four in the women’s team as the hosts try to perform competitively at home.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/06/23/sea-games-gilas-women-advance-to-3x3-semis'>SEA Games: Gilas Women advance to 3x3 semis</a></li></ul><p>In contrast, Gilas is fielding only one naturalized player – Justin Brownlee for the five-on-five event as part of its "redeem team". Indonesia, on the other hand, has former PBA import Lester Prosper, who has been with the team since 2019, and Anthony Beane.</p><p>The defending men’s 5-on-5 winners sought to include 2021 gold medalist Marques Bolden to the final roster, but the former Cleveland Cavalier was not available.</p><p>“I think it is a little too much for Cambodians and the other countries to swallow. I am a little embarrassed for Cambodians. Because this is not our way to resort to not giving our own people a shot at competing," Bo Noung said.</p><p><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hscPOb5PzyM?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div>

<p>The Cambodian men’s team captured the 3x3 gold after beating the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team, 20-15 behind the efforts of Brandon Peterson, Darrinray Dorsey, Sayeed Alkabir Pridgett, and local Tep Chhorath who was barely used throughout the two-day competition.</p><p>The women’s side, however, did not enjoy the same success. The all-naturalized selection composed of Brittany Binkins, Mariah Cooks, Kimberly Hanlon, and Meighan Simmons faltered to the Philippines in the semifinals, 21-20, before dropping the battle for bronze medal match to Indonesia, 21-15.</p>

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='From the Cambodia Basketball Federation' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/sports/05/07/20230507-3x3.jpg' ><figcaption><em>From the Cambodia Basketball Federation</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The Cambodian national basketball team’s decision to field multiple foreign players in both men’s and women’s lineups have sparked a debate on whether current Southeast Asian (SEA) Games player eligibility rules should be changed.</p>

'Those are their rules and we can’t do anything about it. Ang sa atin lang, we have to prepare well going into these games now.'

SEAG: Cambodia basketball rosters stir debate on citizenship rules | ABS-CBN News

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SEAG: Cambodia basketball rosters stir debate on citizenship rules

SEAG: Cambodia basketball rosters stir debate on citizenship rules