The Philippine Senate has decided to step in with regards to Gilas Pilipinas Men’s ongoing struggles in its buildup to the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Senators Bong Go, Mark Villar, Joel Villanueva, Francis Tolentino, and Alan Cayetano filed Philippine Senate Resolution no. 83-2022 urging the senate committee on sports to “conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the ways to support Gilas Pilipinas Men with the end in view of reviewing relevant laws and policies to ensure optimal performance in future international sports competitions and to protect the welfare of Filipino athletes.”
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, who is the brother of Sen. Francis, had already warned the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas that a senate inquiry was a possibility after Gilas Men’s disastrous silver finish in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
“Baka umabot yan sa senate at congress yan bakit natalo,” he said.
“Do we need a law na dapat priority ang national team? Kahit anong laro o schedule, dapat priority. Superceded ang mga contracts nila at mauna yung bansa.”
After the SEA Games though, Gilas missed the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup.
The Senate is addressing this issue as ” fans have clamored that the team receives more support in order to improve the team’s performance in international competitions.”
The upper chamber is also looking to revisit existing laws regarding national teams and the protection of Filipino athletes.
Coincidentally, the resolution was filed during the same day the general meeting of the SBP was being held.
