Gilas Pilipinas will have more than a coaching search to do when the nationals head to Hangzhou, China for the Asian Games slated for later this month.

As it turns out, some players could be questionable for the Asiad, with Dwight Ramos officially saying he’s unavailable due to his commitments to his mother team, Levanga Hokkaido in Japan B.League.

The 25-year-old Ramos, who registered 11 points, five rebounds and four assists in Gilas’ breakthrough 96-75 win over China on Saturday night, September 2, said he’ll be flying to Japan soon to rejoin his team.

“No. I’m not playing in the Asian Games,” Ramos said.

“I’ll be there soon. I’m ready to get together with the team,” he added.

The B.League usually starts its calendar in late September, possibly coinciding with the duration of the Asian Games, which will happen from September 23 to October 8.

This may also put doubt on other B.League players’ availability from Gilas Pilipinas from suiting up in the quadrennial tournament, with the likes of AJ Edu, Kiefer Ravena and Kai Sotto expected to join the Toyama Grouses, Shiga Lakes and the Hiroshima Dragonflies, respectively, soon.

Meanwhile, Rhenz Abando is playing for the Anyang KGC in the Korean Basketball League, which usually starts in October.

Unlike the FIBA World Cup where teams can release their players to their respective national teams, the Asian Games has a different rule as it is organized by the Olympic Council of Asia.

This leaves only six players — all of whom are from the PBA — on the current Gilas Pilipinas roster as Jordan Clarkson is also not suiting up.

Gilas will also need to find the successor of Chot Reyes, who announced on Saturday that he is stepping aside from coaching the national team. (GMA Integrated News)