One battle at a time.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will address pressing matters for Gilas Pilipinas after the conclusion of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
The tournament is entering its final six days, culminating in the Sunday final at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
On the agenda for the SBP on September 11 are the questions of who will compose Gilas for the 19th Asian Games, which commence on September 23, and the resignation of Chot Reyes as head coach.
“Though Gilas ended its campaign with a big win against China, we still have this week to run the most important phase of the event, the final phase. That’s the main focus for us first,” SBP president Al Panlilio told One News’ Martie Bautista.
“We’ll finish that first.”
The SBP has not yet accepted Reyes’ resignation, although he already informed Panlilio and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas about it last Saturday.
“I’ve informed Mr. Panlilio and Mr. Vargas. However, there hasn’t been a decision as far as I know. I’m not aware of their decision,” said Reyes.
“But before the game, I informed them that this would be my last game, regardless of the result.”
Most likely, the SBP will call up PBA players for the continental meet, as overseas Filipino imports are already being recalled by their respective mother teams.
Meanwhile, the PBA is open to lending its players once again for the Asian Games, according to league commissioner Willie Marcial.
Regarding the hosting, the SBP has received praise from its foreign guests.
“It’s best to obtain feedback from the delegates,” said Panlilio. “But from what I’ve been told, it’s all positive. From the moment they arrived at the airport, throughout their stay at the hotel, the way they were treated, everyone was smiling and very warm, and they found solutions for any issues. It’s not a situation where they say, ‘That’s not our problem.’
“At every event, delegates approach us and say, ‘Congratulations, it was well done. Everyone is happy, the food is good, the program is excellent, the entire staging, everything is very, very satisfactory.'”
Vargas, who also avoided questions about the country’s hosting efforts since it would be seen as self-serving, did acknowledge that “my personal experience at the FIBA Congress has been excellent.”
