Two days after its campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas went to the Philippine Basketball Association’s office to plot Gilas Pilipinas Men’s calendar for the rest of the year.
Present in the meeting were Gilas Men’s program director and head coach Chot Reyes, team manager, and SBP deputy executive director Butch Antonio.
For the PBA’s side, league commissioner Willie Marcial and deputy commissioner Eric Castro were there along with the league’s staff, including executive assistant Mich Flores and technical official Junior Bengua.
Marcial bared that Reyes and Antonio submitted to him a 30-man pool that he wanted for Gilas’ tournament for the rest of the year. These tournaments include the 31st Southeast Asian Games in May, the third and fourth windows of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Asia Cup in July, and the Asian Games in September.
“Nilatag nila sa amin yung schedules kasama na run yung SEA Games at Asian Games pati yung FIBA Windows,” said Marcial about the meeting held on Tuesday afternoon.
“Nilatag din niya yung wishlist niya, yung 30-man pool.”
Of course, the pool includes not just PBA pros but also collegiate standouts and overseas pros.
Marcial did not disclose who is part of the SBP’s wishlist for privacy purposes. After all, the league has to inform the players first and meet with the league’s board of governors.
“Kelangan ko pakita sa board yan at explain yung schedules. Ang proseso diyan is kailangan makausap muna yung players then yung teams bago,” he said.
“Mahabang process pa.”
But for the SEA Games, the composition of the team will be PBA-laden as collegiate players are still in the midst of their seasons by then. Players from overseas leagues will also not be available as they will be ending their season on May 15.
The 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup, meanwhile, ends on April 17 at the latest.
The SEA Games is not sanctioned by FIBA.
