IN A most welcome development, the Philippine Basketball Association Board of Governors, without exception, has committed to provide their full support for the Gilas Pilipinas national team in time for the 2016 Brazil Olympic Games’ qualifying tournament next year.
Meralco board representative Al Panlilio of the MVP Group of companies said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas “finally got what we wanted in terms of commitment with a document – a board resolution — signed by all the governors which is something different from the past.”
He described the agreement reached at a very cordial special board meeting on Wednesday as “a really good development,” conceding that while there is a risk “it’s still a positive step.”
Panlilio indicated that should someone back out, “then it’s up to them to explain to the public.”
A joint PBA-SBP Committee was formed to see the agreements through with former PBA chairman Mamerto Mondragon of Rain Or Shine, Alfrancis Chua of Ginebra San Miguel, former PBA chairman “Pato” Gregorio and PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa named to the committee, with the SBP scheduled to nominate four people.
PBA chairman Robert Non of San Miguel Corporation said the PBA team owners don’t have a problem with lending players.
“We don’t have a problem with this at the team owners’ end. It will be up to the players,” said Non.
The PBA also agreed to begin the third conference next year after the qualifiers, while there is a possibility that the second conference could be cut short by mid-May with a once a week opportunity for coach Tab Baldwin to get together with the 17 players in the pool to study the offensive and defensive game-plan.
“The SBP needs to work on Lakers’ star Jordan Clarkson,” said Baldwin of the Fil-American, who has expressed his desire to suit up for the Philippines in the Olympic qualifiers. “We also need to make sure that Andray Blatche is in shape.”
Panlilio indicated they would have to talk to coach Baldwin, who submitted the list of players he wants to have in the pool.
“We will discuss the next steps moving forward,” said Panlilio.
The Meralco governor conceded that the qualifier will be a very tough tournament, with much stronger teams than the recent FIBA Asia
Championships and there is a need to manage the expectations of our people.
The SBP, headed by its president Manny Pangilinan, will bid to host one of the three qualifying tournaments.
He also mentioned that FIBA is likely to be elated over the agreements reached between the SBP and the PBA after the world governing body’s initial concern over the composition of the Philippine team, especially after FIBA receives copies of the documents, which include such stalwarts as back-to-back MVP Junemar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, LA Tenorio, Greg Slaughter, and Marcio Lassiter, who opted out of the last FIBA Asia Championships due to injuries and other reasons.
The newcomers added to the roster include Troy Rosario, Ian Sangalang and Ryan Reyes.
“We are moving forward and have to work together, that’s the only way. We need the help from everybody,” Panlilio said.