After much clamor, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas had a change of heart. The Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team will play in the 2018 Asian Games.
The Philippine Basketball Association and the SBP will make the announcement prior to tip-off of Game 5 between Ginebra and San Miguel later at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Coach Yeng Guiao will still remain as head coach.
However, before the clock struck midnight on the same day, the SBP decided to pull out from the continental meet. The federation cited that, “the time and chance to participate would not be optimal.”
The SBP and the PBA though came under fire afterwards.
As a resolution, the league will allow every player in Guiao’s wishlist to participate in the Asiad, according to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation.
The Men’s Basketball tournament of the Asian Games begins on August 14. The Philippines is grouped with Iran, Syria, and UAE in Group B.