For years, fans have clamored for PBA club teams to lend all of their players to the Gilas Pilipinas pool. Even if there was noise, however, the powers-that-be could not get it done. On the other hand, the National Team persevered, making do with the cards dealt to them.
When Willie Marcial was appointed the PBA’s officer-in-charge in the wake of Chito Narvasa’s resignation, he disclosed his dream.
“Ang PBA 100 percent susuportahan yung Gilas. Maniwala kayo. Talagang all-out ang PBA diyan,” he said during Gilas’ practice last January 15.
“Baka magulat kayo biglang mag-propose sila wala nang limit ang players ‘pag kumuha. Puwedeng mangyari yun.”
Thursday afternoon, Marcial was named the league commissioner. His first order of business was to make the pitch to the league’s board of governors. Just like how he was unanimously selected as the league’s top honcho, everyone agreed that it’s time to give back to the National Team.
And no one was more delighted than Marcial himself.
“Mas lalo na ako,” the 56-year-old official said when asked how delighted he was about the development. “‘Yun ang sinabi ko sa inyo eh na ipi-pitch in namin sa Board.
“Hindi naman kami hinindian ng Board.
“Talagang sila nagsabi na kung anong gusto ni coach Chot [Reyes], pag-usapan natin, basta wala lang schedule yung games. So on our side, gagawin namin yun,” he added.
With this, the healing process of the PBA, and Philippine basketball, has truly begun.
