The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Gilas Pilipinas backer Chooks-to-Go are currently scrambling to find a way on how they could field a contending team for the upcoming 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
The Philippine Basketball Association have made it known that the league will find it hard to fit the Asiad to their calendar as it has already accommodated the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. With this, the members of Gilas Elite will most likely not be available for the quadrennial meet.
On the other hand, the Gilas Cadets’ availability for the tournament is still in question. With the tournament running from August 8 to at most September 1, schools will find it hard to lend their players as the NCAA will be on-going by then while the UAAP is set to begin around the time. The only full-time Cadets so far are Kobe Paras, Troy Rike, J-Jay Alejandro, Abu Tratter, and Vince Tolentino.
With this predicament, five players have made it known that they are willing to represent the country if called upon.
Chong Son’s Mikh McKinney and Caelan Tiongon, Westsports Malaysia’s Joshua Munzon, Saigon’s Mikey Williams, and Mono’s Jason Brickman bared their willingness if called upon by the SBP and Chooks-to-Go.
“I’d definitely be interested to represent my country,” said Munzon, a 6-foot-4 swing man who averaged 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.2 steals last ABL Season.
“It would be an honor to join the team if they called me to,” added Williams, who posted norms of 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.9 rebounds.
“I would definitely enjoy the opportunity to represent my motherland on such a big stage.”
Currently, the Asian Games are not as strict as FIBA with regards to the eligibility of the competitors that will join the tournament. As long as the player has his motherland’s passport, the player could play.
For Brickman and McKinney, they would gladly don the country’s colors as the Filipino fans have embraced them during the ABL season.
“Yeah of course. I’m open to any offers to play for the Philippines, to play for this country. I love playing here. And the fans are great, so I’m open to any offer,” expressed Brickman, the 5-foot-9 floor general who led Mono to a runner-up finish with averages of 11.5 points, 10.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals.
“If it comes my way, I’m open to it. I’m not shutting the door to anything.”
“Yes, I would represent if I was called on,” closed McKinney, who is this season’s Heritage Most Valuable Player as he posted numbers of 22.6 points, 5.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.
“I’m pretty sure we would all love to be there.”
Report by Justine Bacnis and Matthew Li
