MVP, SBP thank PBA for support to Gilas Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines – Outgoing Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president and basketball patron Manny V. Pangilinan expressed gratitude to the PBA for its support to Gilas Pilipinas, saying the basketball federation will move to file its intent to participate in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated for July 5 to 16.

“We welcome the assistance of the PBA and thank the PBA Board for its support,” Pangilinan said in a statement. “SBP will forthwith file with FIBA, through the Philippine Olympic Committee, the requisite Registration Form, indicating our intention to participate. May God bless the Gilas Team, and our country, for this 2016 Wild Card Qualifying (Tournament).” 

During a special PBA Board meeting Wednesday, October 14, at the PBA Office in Libis, the pro league came up with a 6-point resolution showing its commitment to helping the SBP form the Philippine national men’s basketball team for the Olympic Qualifier.

A key resolution is to lend 17 players of coach Tab Baldwin’s choosing to the Gilas pool. The players will be allowed to practice once a week on Mondays starting November. The team can start full practices after the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup, which is projected to conclude around May 12 to 16.

The PBA will also adjust its schedule to accommodate the national team with its season-ending Governors’ Cup to commence after the Qualifier. 

“That will be a big help because at least once a week they see each other. If coach Tab wants to add a new system, he can introduce it little by little,” SBP Vice President Al Panlilio, who was present at the meeting as Meralco’s team governor, said of the schedule adjustment.

“The spirit is to have more time to prepare because other teams like China were together for a year and a half just to focus on the FIBA Asia. I think similarly that’s what we want.”

The meeting, which was attended by all 12 team governors, league Commissioner Chito Narvasa, and league President and CEO Chito Salud, yielded positive results that helped SBP gain confidence in competing at the world tournament. 

“It would be a very difficult task to compete there but I think with the full support of the PBA and the board resolution, it gives the SBP more confidence to give it all out and make sure we compete,” said Panlilio. “With this resolution, we’re happy to note that this is a strong signal again of support for the national team.”

(READ: Gilas Pilipinas bound by FIBA rules to join Olympic Qualifier)

Gilas Pilipinas was relegated to the qualifier after finishing inside the top 4 with a silver medal in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship early this month. The world tournament, which will be held in 3 different cities around the world, will feature 18 countries divided into 3 groups with the winner from each group qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21.

2017 Qualifier still in back burner

The meeting solved the immediate concerns of the national team, but did not tackle a future beyond 2016. 

The next FIBA Asia Championship in 2017, which will serve as qualifier for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, will no longer follow a tournament format similar to this year’s tilt in China. The meet will be stretched out over two years with home and away games for each team – a schedule that obviously poses a huge dilemma with the PBA’s usual 10-month season.

“The calendar will be challenging,” said Panlilio, who expects discussions on the matter to take time. “That hasn’t been presented to the PBA so the SBP has to (meet with the PBA) and explain that.”

The 2017 qualifier, along with the more pressing 2016 Olympic Qualifier, will no longer be problems for Pangilinan, whose two terms as SBP president concludes this January. (READ: MVP steps down as SBP head, new leadership to take over)

An election will be held and a new president will take over by the end of January, when the SBP is also set to announced the final 12-man line-up for the qualifier. 

Panlilio gave assurances that “with the strength of the partnership with the PBA and SBP” and in the “national interest of Philippine basketball,” the new president will continue what Pangilinan already established over the years.

— Rappler.com