PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the league has committed to continuing to lend its players to Gilas Pilipinas even after the FIBA World Cup.
This means players from the league will be readily available for Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the Asian Games and, if fortunate enough, should the nationals qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Patuloy po nating sinusuportahan ang Gilas. Kung ano ang kailangan ng national team ay tinutugunan po natin,” said Marcial.
But Marcial said he has yet to discuss with national coach Chot Reyes whether Gilas will retain the current pool training for the World Cup for the Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 Asiad.
“Hindi ko alam kung sinong players ang gagamitin niya dun (Asiad), kung ‘yung Gilas na gagamitin niya sa World Cup or bago na,” said Marcial. “Wala pa, pero kung ano ang kailangan ni coach Chot ay tutulong ang PBA.”
So far, it is only naturalized player Justin Brownlee who will surely be retained for Hangzhou.
On the other hand, Gilas is also eyeing a No. 1 finish among the competing Asian countries in the World Cup for an outright berth to next year’s Paris Olympics.
Should that happen, the PBA is just eager to back Gilas.
“Sa palagay ko naman papayag ang board, sinuportahan nga natin ang World Cup tapos makakapasok pa tayo sa Olympics,” said Marcial.
“‘Yun ang pangarap ng lahat ng Pilipino na makapasok sa Olympics. Siguradong susuportahan namin ang national team.”
The Philippines is looking for its first Olympic appearance since the 1972 edition in Munich, Germany.
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