The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) led by executive director Sonny Barrios admitted that the exodus of local talents to overseas leagues has been a growing concern for the federation.
This makes it more challenging for SBP to form a competitive team for international tournaments, given that the mainstays of the Gilas program are not playing on Philippine soil.
“It’s a concern. In fact, as part of the moving forward initiatives, pinagaaralan ngayon ng SBP together with major stakeholders,” Barrios said on Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
“When I say major stakeholders, these are organizations such as PBA, UAAP, NCAA kung paano ma-address, among others, itong about juicy offers being forwarded to our potential national players.”
Led by Thirdy Ravena, several other players chose to take their act to Japan to play in the B. League. These include Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Kobe Paras, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. — all of whom have suited up for the national team in the past.
Following in their footsteps is former La Salle team captain Justine Baltazar who is set to join the Hiroshima Dragonflies for the 2022-23 season of the B. League. Meanwhile, Ateneo product SJ Belangel is bound to be the first Filipino to play in the Korean Basketball League after recently inking a deal with the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus.
Barrios claimed that the Gilas program is already starting its buildup for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup which will be co-hosted by the country alongside Japan and Indonesia slated from August 25 to September 10.
“The journey of our team towards 2023 is both long and short. Long kasi hindi pa naman next month, short dahil it’s 14 or 15 months to go,” he explained.
“May mga tournaments na puro young ones, may tournament na may mix of PBA players. So lahat ‘yun kasama sa pagsusuri natin kung papano natin tatalakayin ‘yung final portion of the preparation.”
Barrios also stressed that the SBP is not alone in trying to find a solution to keep local talents in the country and be able to field the best team possible in time for the hosting of the World Cup.
“Hindi natin sinosolo ‘yung pag-iisip diyan,” the official revealed.
“We are very inclusive in planning out how to move forward for this 2023 World Cup which we are hosting para nang sa ganon, ang ating buong bayan will support and be behind our Gilas Pilipinas team kasi alam nilang pinaghandaan nang mabuti ‘yung tournament.”
