RAIN or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu confirmed that there are talks about Rain or Shine possibly representing the country in the upcoming Asian Games, but insisted nothing is cast in stone.
“Wala pa namang concrete agreement but may ano 'yung PBA na for us to provide the bullk of the players for the Asian Games. Pero like I said may mga details pa that we need to iron out,” said Yu.
The original plan was to send a Gilas team made up of the core of the TNT squad, but that apparently changed with Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Terrence Romeo, and RR Pogoy suspended and Jericho Cruz injured.
Yu said that he was approached by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial about the possibility of sending the core of the country' team to Indonesia this August and it’s something that they’re definitely considering.
“Oo, sinabi sa amin. Kinausap ako ni Commissioner Willie. Anytime naman there’s a chance for Rain or Shine players to play for flag and country, okay naman kami. We’ve always been supportive,” he added.
For Yu, the issue now is forming the best possible team and for that to happen, they aren’t discounting the possibility of tapping players from other teams.
Again, that all depends on how they will negotiations betweem the PBA and other member teams will pan out.
“Yes, we’re willing, but you have to understand that the competition in the Asian Games is mataas din 'yan. So syempre worried din kami. Gusto namin if we’re gonna go there yung team na panlaban talaga, na di mapapahiya yung bansa,” Yu said.
“There was nothing specific but siguro bulk of the lineup will be from (us). Sabi nga ni commissioner, Andyan lang kami nagusap e, bago pumasaok dun. Nothing is set in stone yet. ano pa rin, fluid pa rin.”