By REYNALD MAGALLON
The PBA has reassured the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Gilas Pilipinas that it is committed in providing a helping hand to the national team even beyond the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Gilas is set to see action in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China and will need all the help it can get for the formation of a competitive lineup given the close proximity of the schedule to the global showpiece.
The World Cup, which the country will be hosting, will end on Sept. 10 while the Asiad fires off just two weeks after on Sept. 23.
It’s still unclear whether Gilas head coach Chot Reyes will still tweak his World Cup lineup that he will use for the Asian Games but commissioner Willie Marcial reaffirmed that PBA players will be made available if Gilas will need.
“Patuloy kaming susuporta kung ano po ang kailangan nila coach Chot. Hindi ko alam kung sinong player ang gagamitin nila doon, kung ‘yun pa rin Gilas na maglalaro sa World Cup o bago. Pero kung ano ang kailangan ni coach Chot, tutulungan po ng PBA,” said Marcial on Tuesday, Aug. 8 during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
The PBA board had already given way for the Nationals campaign in the World Cup as apart from lending its players, the league also compressed the usual three-conference season to just two.
PBA players currently make up most of the remaining pool members with league MVPs June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson leading the way along with CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Newsome, and Calvin Oftana.
The goal for Gilas in this World Cup is to become the best placed Asian team in the competition to get a direct qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics – something that should happen, the PBA would be very much willing to support, according to Marcial.
“Sa palagay ko, papayag ang board dahil sinuportahan na natin ang World Cup tapos makakapasok pa tayo sa Olympics, ‘yun ang pangarap ng lahat ng Pilipino, na makapasok tayo sa Olympics,” said the amiable league chieftain.
“Siguradong susuportahan po namin ang national team,” he stressed.
