Barrios: First SBP Selection Committee meeting was ‘productive’

MANILA, Philippines – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Sonny Barrios said the selection committee tasked with the re-evaluation of the Philippine national basketball team program had a productive first meeting on Tuesday, November 11. 

The meeting, which included Barrios, SBP Vice Chairman Ricky Vargas, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud, PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio, and PBA Vice Chairman Robert Non, lasted for a little over two hours long and yielded a criteria that has been submitted to the SBP Executive Committee headed by President Manny V. Pangilinan.

If accepted, the said criteria will be used to determine the next head coach of the Philippine national basketball team.

“I will call it productive. I see that we will attain the objective of coming up with a sensible shortlist [of potential coaches] once the criteria is finalized. We arrived at something, a body of work shall we say, and we decided, ‘let’s forward this to the executive committee,” Barrios said in an interview with Rappler.com

A press release by the SBP on Tuesday afternoon states that the select committee could have their second meeting if the executive committee accepts the proposed criteria for the coaching selection soon.

(RELATED: Chot Reyes is out as national team coach as Gilas is reevaluated by SBP)

When asked about the specifics of the criteria, the SBP Executive Director opted not to go into detail.

“To be frank, if we release it now, and it’s changed, magkakaroon pa nang division (there will be a division) of opinion.”

However, Barrios did say that the select committee did not discuss any potential names to take over the head coaching spot for Gilas Pilipinas during their first meeting on Tuesday, and will not do so until the criteria has been finalized.

(RELATED: Gilas program ‘under review,’ door still open for Chot – team manager)

Some media outlets reported that18-time PBA champion head coach Tim Cone is one of the frontrunners to take the job.

“We did not discuss personalities, so I don’t know where they got that information,” Barrios said. “I think it’s pre-mature to discuss personalities without agreeing on a criteria.”

Cone somewhat echoed Barrios.

“I haven’t heard anything or been contacted by anyone,” the multi-titled coach told Rappler.

(RELATED: Robert Jaworski open to coaching Gilas)

“The composition of the committee are right-minded persons who are knowledgeable in the basketball community,” said Barrios. “When we put our heads together, we’ll come up with something productive.”

Chot’s request

Former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes issued a statement on Monday, November 10, saying that he had requested he SBP’s select committee to exclude his name from potential candidates to take over the Gilas coaching job after the re-evaluation process. 

In an exclusive interview televised by TV5 on Tuesday, November 11, Reyes explained that the criticism he was receiving for his job with the team was also affecting his family. “Pati sila nadamay (even they were affected),” he said, before later mentioning: “They don’t deserve it.”

Reyes also said he leaves “with no bitterness,” though “of course there’s a tinge of sadness and disappointment.” (RELATED: MVP expresses ‘much regret’ over Chot Reyes’ withdrawal from Gilas pool)

When asked about hearing of the former PBA Coach of the Year’s request for exclusion, Barrios says he, personally, was not surprised.

“Because I understand the pressure he has been subjected to, the harsh criticism,” he said.

Barrios also said that the select committee will likely not consult with Reyes regarding the future of Gilas.

“We don’t want to bother him, because we want to respect his decision. I think if you read his statement carefully, effectively, he’s saying he prefers to move on.” – Rappler.com