With the campaign of Alab Pilipinas in the ABL ending last Friday, both Kiefer Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. are once again about to test their mettle in the States as they try to make it to the NBA D-League once more. But with the NBA’s second league in its off-season, many are wondering why can’t the two stalwarts join the current Gilas Pilipinas pool?
National team head coach Chot Reyes shed light on the situation Tuesday evening after Gilas’ practice held at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City. According to the 53-year-old mentor shared that the agreement made by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball Association last year firmly states that the team must be composed of PBA players.
“They have no chance for this time because we were very clear that for you to get to the program, you have to be in the PBA.
“They made their decision, unfortunately, we have to live with those decisions. There is an agreement between the SBP and the PBA precisely that stipulates that the guys have to be in the PBA,” the eight-time PBA champion coach furthered.
Due to this partnership with the PBA, Matthew Wright was fast-tracked to join the 2016 PBA Draft even if he had yet to serve D-League residency.
But Reyes is not closing the doors on Ravena and Parks Jr. — both two-time SEABA champions, only affirming that there is no chance for both players to be part of the SEABA team.
“Right now, unfortunately, there is no opportunity for them. In the future, later this year, we don’t know.
“But for certain, in the SEABA, there is no chance. Everything after SEABA, we leave it for after SEABA because for now, our focus is winning the SEABA. Otherwise, there is no use planning for anything else if we don’t win that. For now, all our focus is really on the SEABA,” the five-time coach of the year said.
