Now that the high of being granted the hosting rights for the 2023 FIBA World Cup has passed, the hard work begins to prepare for it. But it’s not just the logistics for the event that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is working on.
The hosting rights automatically give Gilas Pilipinas a berth for the biggest tournament in world basketball.
With this, SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan is looking at bringing back the cadets program in preparation for the tournament.
“Ngayon importante ‘to. Now we know that we have six years to prepare for the tournament,” the amiable philanthropist said. “It’s good for them to develop their bonding early.
“We have excellent college players.”
Based from the standouts of the recently-concluded men’s collegiate basketball season, Pangilinan saw four that he wants to take part in the program.
“This year we have Ricci Rivero of La Salle, Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo, Robert Bolick of San Beda, and CJ Perez of Lyceum.
“These are the kids that will be in the prime of their careers by that time. So we have the raw materials but we have to train and bond properly,” Pangilinan shared.
Rivero will be 24 years old, Ravena will be 26, Bolick will be 27, and Perez will be 28 by then.
But Pangilinan shared that he only sees a few players from the current iteration of Gilas that might crack the lineup by then.
“Hindi ko alam mga edad nila but some of them are 30 years old na. If you add six years medyo hindi na siguro puwede,” he said.
“It’s not their fault, that’s the way it is.”
Still, Pangilinan knows that there is still a task at hand with the on-going World Cup Qualifiers. And he is asking all the club teams to stand united in this endeavor.
“Medyo nag-slide tayo in the rankings no? The last two to three years. I think it’s important that we regain our position. Mabuti na we get back to at least 27 in the rankings. But it does not mean that kahit di tayo yung host ng 2019, we won’t send our strongest team,” he said.
“We need to try our best just like what we did in Spain.”
