SBP to mix amateurs with pros for Clark window as 2023 prep

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is continuing its theme of player development for Gilas Pilipinas as amateurs are again set for call-ups in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark in February 2021.

Although PBA players are expected to banner the Gilas pool for the final window, SBP president Al Panlilio said in an online press conference on Saturday, December 19, that amateurs definitely have reserved spots on the team.

“I think we want to learn from the Bahrain window where we had the young players. We want to continue that development of these young players,” he said.

“In this window, we also want to – since the PBA is on break – bring some PBA players in combination, especially since this window seems to be a very tough window for us,” he continued.

Sure enough, Gilas cadets like Justine Baltazar, brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, and Dwight Ramos represented well in the recent Bahrain window to merit consideration among PBA veterans, as evidenced with a clean sweep of pro-laden Thailand.

“It’s not just for this window. This is really a developmental program for SBP, as you know,” Panlilio continued.

“Our vision is 2023, but we want to use these events to develop the young players, and bring in the veterans, and have games that they play together, so that we become a better team down the road.”

As of now, the exact number of amateurs to be included with the pros has yet to be determined, but the SBP and PBA are expecting a seamless team-building process this time around with the pro league currently paused after a historic bubble season.

“Sabi ko sabihin agad, para masabihan yung mga players na nagbabakasyon. Basta okay sa players, wala tayong problema,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

(Just let me know right away, so we can alert the players on vacation. As long as the players are okay with it, we won’t have any problems.)

“The ball is on my court. I’m working with coach Tab (Baldwin), so hopefully, by next week, I can give Comm. Willie some names for requests of PBA players to be part of that bubble, and for the February window,” Panlilio added.

A pool can be expected as early as January, as SBP is planning a training bubble in Clark similar to how preparations were done for the Bahrain window. – Rappler.com