By JONAS TERRADO
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes has put up a pool of 15 PBA players that could be tapped in the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the league will now begin the task of informing the players included in the list which Reyes submitted following his PBA team TNT’s 127-107 win over Terrafirma Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marcial didn’t reveal the names, but their availability for the biennial meet will be known when the PBA informs those on Reyes’ wishlist.
“Kailangan makausap ko muna yung mga governors, at makausap ko agad yung mga players kung OK sila doon sa schedule para kung hindi sila (players) libre, may commitment sila, mapapalitan agad namin,” Marcial; said in a story posted on the PBA’s official site.
Reyes said after the recent FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers that PBA players will likely make up the composition of the SEA Games due to the return of the UAAP and NCAA seasons.
The PBA season ends next month, which gives the league the opportunity to allow its players to don the national jersey for the May 12 to 23 event.
But the commitment of those Reyes wants to take part in the Philippines’ quest for a 14th consecutive cage gold must be known before March 12, the deadline for submission of entries by name.
“Ang concern natin yung mga players. Hindi natin alam, baka mamaya dun sa time na yun may commitment sila or sabihin nila ‘Com gusto kong mag-pahinga or Com, meron akong injury,’” said Marcial.
