SINGAPORE (2015 SEABA Championship/2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - There appears to be one certainty heading into the 2015 SEABA Championship (27 April-1 May) in Singapore, and that is the might of the Philippines.

Tab Baldwin, in his first official tournament as coach, will lead a relatively young and inexperienced Gilas Cadets side into a tournament field that is nevertheless expected to rule the roost.

Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Brunei and hosts Singapore are also at the six-team tournament.

Gilas Cadets do have 35-year-old veteran center Marcus Douthit, giving them the most powerful frontline player in the competition.

If the Philippines do roll to triumph after triumph and take one of three qualifying places for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, who will claim the other two spots?

Expect a real battle between the Indonesians, Malaysians and Singaporeans, with both Laos and Brunei not expected to offer too much of a challenge.

Indonesia, who meet Gilas Cadets in the second game on Day 1 after the opener between Brunei and Malaysia, are somewhat of an unknown.

No one in their squad played in the 2014 SEABA Cup or 2014 FIBA Asia Cup, and with no player older than 26, the squad is clearly short on experience.

If there is something that catches the eye when looking at the Indonesia squad, it's their size.

Firman Nugroho, who is 2m in height, and 1.95m Muhamad Wardana are the team's two centers.

Indonesia also has 1.95m power forward Luthfianes Gunawan and 1.94m power forwards Juan Kokodiputra and Steven Oei.

As for the best known players, that would have to be Respati Pamungkas and Yo Sua, two of the Indonesian league's best scorers.

Malaysia, meanwhile, have a roster that is full of young and exciting talent with a couple of veterans also involved.

Koh Way Tek and Eng Heng Soo have been in the wars before and should have leading roles.

Singapore, who square off against Laos in the third game of Day 1, should give their spectators plenty to cheer about.

This team has a good mix of veterans and youngsters Wei Long Wong and Hanbin Ng prominent players on the wing and Delvin Goh the battering ram inside.

Wong and Ng combined to average more than 26 points per game at last year's FIBA Asia Cup, and Goh was their leading rebounder at 7.8 rebounds per game.

Goh, wearing the No. 14 jersey, had one of the highlights in Singapore's game against the Philippines when he put the ball on the floor and scored against Douthit.

Having finished third at the 2013 SEA Games and first in the 2014 SEABA Cup, the Singaporeans will be full of confidence.

Being at home will only boost their chances.

The Philippines are prohibitive favorites and there will be plenty of fans back home keeping tabs on what happens in Singapore.

Most of the players on the Gilas Cadets roster are projected to be high on the wishlist of PBA clubs for the 2015 and 2016 draft classes, so the SEABA tournament allows everyone to catch a glimpse of just how bright the future of Philippine basketball should be.

One of those in Baldwin's side is 1.89m guard, Kiefer Ravena.

Our chemistry is improving - Ravena

"The team has taken very positive steps, with the tournament just days away," Ravena said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

"That's the most important thing for us, especially because we had little time to prepare."

Known rosters of participating teams at 2015 SEABA Championship
Philippines: Marcus Douthit, Kiefer Ravena, Ray Parks, Scottie Thompson, Glenn Khobuntin, Troy Rosario, Almond Vosotros, Norbert Torres, Mac Belo, Russel Escoto, Jio Jalalon, Kevin Ferrer.
Singapore: Chin Hong Tan, Hanbin Ng, Kelvin Lim, Larry Liew, Delvin Goh, Qing Huang Toh, Wu Qingde, Desmond Oh, Wei Long Wong, Leon Kwek, Russel Low, Yeong Wooi Khaw.
Indonesia: Firman Nugroho, Hans Abraham, Juan Kokodiputra, Steven Oei, Luthfianes Gunawan, Muhamad Wardana, Muhamad Aziz, Azzaryan Pradithya, Respati Pamungkas, Restu Purnomo, Yanuar Priasmoro, Yo Sua.
Malaysia: Chee Huei Liaw, Chee Kheun Ma, Eng Heng Soo, Ivan Yeo, Kok Huo Teo, Lok Seng Mak, Sing Tee Ng, Tian Yuan Kuek, Way Tek Koh, Wei Hong Choo, Wen Keong Tong, Vincent Choong.
Rosters not available for Brunei and Laos.

FIBA