The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) adjusted its calendar once more to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ endeavors in the upcoming months.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the 2024 Philippine Cup opener has been moved from February 28 to March 3 to allow the national team more time to prepare for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.
“In-adjust namin ‘yun para sa Gilas,” the league chieftain told reporters on the sidelines of the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup pre-Finals press conference, Thursday at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City.
The league has begun tweaking its sked in the ongoing conference, with the best-of-7 title series between Magnolia and San Miguel set to begin on Friday even though the Hotshots’ semis series versus Phoenix ended Wednesday.
It’s because the Filipino dribblers are set to see action in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers’ opening window on February 22-26.
“Katulad nitong Finals … Dapat Linggo pa ‘to eh. Para rin ‘to sa Gilas, nang mapakawalan at maibigay natin ‘yung mga players,” said Marcial, who was the team manager of Gilas Men during the 19th Asian Games.
The PBA will be heavily involved with the national team program once more, with newly-appointed head coach Tim Cone opting to go with a small pool mostly made up of players from Asia’s pioneering pro league.
Over half of the 12-man roster for the upcoming Asia Cup Qualifiers window is made up of some of the league’s stars, namely June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, and Jamie Malonzo.
Taking up the naturalized player spot is Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, pending FIBA’s decision regarding his eligibility due to his doping case.
That’s why Marcial, time and again, reaffirmed the PBA’s commitment to Gilas.
“Kung anong kailangan nila, nandiyan pa rin ang PBA,” he said.
