The Philippine Basketball Association reiterated its support for Gilas Pilipinas in light of the fiasco that took place in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
“Nandoon pa rin ang commitment ng PBA to help Gilas,” Commissioner Willie Marcial said during Monday’s Season 47 presser at Conrad Manila.
“Kung anong kailangan — katulad ng sinasabi namin, in behalf of the board and sa mga team owners, kung anong kailangan ng Gilas, ibibigay pa rin ng PBA.”
The Philippine men’s team program hit arguably one of its lowest points when it bowed to Indonesia in the virtual gold medal match of the recently-concluded regional meet, ending the country’s reign of over three decades.
That team put together by coach Chot Reyes was made up mostly of PBA players, with a few ones coming from the B.League plus an amateur. They actually won their first five games before losing in the finale, 81-85.
(C) PSC-POC Media Group
Meanwhile, Gilas 3×3, represented by PBA 3×3 first conference champion Limitless, failed to defend the crown as well, settling for bronze.
(C) PSC
It took days for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to address the matter that has drawn much criticism from fans online. Federation president Al Panlilio issued an apology last May 25 and took full responsibility for what happened.
Panlilio, also the president and CEO of PLDT and Smart, was not in the presser as he’s still in the States.
League chairman Ricky Vargas, on the other hand, seconded what Marcial said, adding that the league would want to help in whatever way it can, especially now that the 2023 FIBA World Cup is over a year away from now.
“It’s not our role to look at the program of SBP for the national team. But we are a member of the community, as I said, that is offering, whether we can help in any way,” said the former vice chair of the Samahan.
“Especially next season, which is World Cup 2023,” added Vargas, as the global conclave will be co-hosted by the Philippines with Indonesia and Japan.
San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua chimed in as well, re-emphasizing that SMC and all the other teams are willing to lend players that Gilas wishes to use for tournaments leading up to the World Cup.
“Since a couple of years ago, five years na sa amin si Chairman, in-agree namin ‘yan lahat. Kahit ball boy, pwede nila kunin. Walang problema,” he said.
“Sila mamimili. All the teams, from Team 1 to Team 12, kung sinong gusto nila doon, walang hahadlang. Kahit sino gusto nilang hiramin. Kahit coach namin, hiramin nila, pwede. Basta ‘yung schedule, sasabihin nila kay Commissioner.
“‘Yun lang, tapos okay na,” he added. “‘Pag sinasabi, ‘di nagpahiram, ganito, wala pong katotohanan ‘yun, matagal na naming pinag-agree-han ‘yan.”
Aside from lending manpower, the PBA is looking to give Gilas ample time to prepare for the World Cup, which is slated for August 25-September 10, 2023.
“Kailangan, bigyan talaga ng magandang preparasyon for 2023. Pag-uusapan ulit ng Board ‘yan, pero andoon na. Doon na direksyon ng Board,” Marcial said,
“Mga two to three months ang preparasyon, so tingnan natin.”
