The Gilas band will be back together.
Allyn Bulanadi signed a one-year extension with the Gilas Pilipinas program, Sunday evening.
And for the 23-year-old product of San Sebastian, delaying his PBA aspirations with Alaska for one more year is a sacrifice he has to make for the country.
“I’ve decided to re-sign with Gilas because gusto ko masuklian ‘yung tiwala na binigay nila sa akin and prove myself worthy to be given this once in a lifetime opportunity,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
The 6-foot-2 sniper out of Davao has yet to play a game for the Nationals.
Bulanadi did not line up for Gilas in the February window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. During the build-up to the Manama window, he dislocated his right shoulder during a practice session, forcing him out of both the second and final window.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas shouldered Bulanadi’s surgery last week in St. Luke’s Bonifacio Global City.
But Bulanadi is not giving up on his Gilas dream, vowing to work hard and get back in shape. Moreover, he plans to learn more from program director Tab Baldwin.
“‘Yung goal ko sa Gilas is mapagaling ‘yung sarili ko, lalo na at mae-expose ako sa international games and trainings. At higit sa lahat, under kay Coach Tab na alam ko madami ako matututunan.”
With Bulanadi and Mike Nieto signing earlier in the day, the original batch of Gilas cadets is back.
New additions to the program are expected come the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft on March 14.
