By JONAS TERRADO
It’s final. PBA players will comprise the Philippine team to the pandemic-delayed Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in May.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the players on coach Chot Reyes’ wish list have agreed to take part in the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
Even the league governors, Marcial added, gave their nod on joining the country’s bid to retain cage supremacy in the biennial meet.
Marcial didn’t disclose the names of those on the 15-man pool, but said that majority are PBA cagers.
“Kinausap ko yung mga governors at okay naman sa kanila kasi yun ang proseso tapos tinawagan ko yung mga players at okay din sila na maglaro sa SEA Games under kay Chot,” Marcial said.
Reyes submitted the names during a short meeting with Marcial after TNT’s victory over Terrafirma in the PBA Governors’ Cup the other day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Philippine Olympic Committee has until Saturday, March 12, to submit the official list of entries by names.
With the players’ nod, Reyes can start preparing the team in early-April, at least a month before the SEA Games begins May 12 in the Vietnamese capital.
Gilas is eyeing a 14th consecutive men’s basketball gold in the SEA Games, but may face a big test against the likes of 2019 silver medalist Thailand, bronze medal winner Vietnam and Indonesia.
