ADD Kobe Paras to the list of people who have been clamoring to see a Philippine men’s basketball team that features the best lineup possible in any international competition.
The teen prodigy, recently named the face of the national 3x3 team, trolled the PBA’s official Twitter account on a post congratulating the Gilastopainters for nearly pulling off an upset against China in the Asian Games match on Tuesday.
“Mahal namin kayo Team Pilipinas! Ang angas! #LabanPilipinas,” The PBA post read.
Paras' reply inevitably got a lot of attention.
“If y’all really love Gilas, then let the best players of the league play in every international tournament without any conflict,” the University of the Philippines recruit said on Wednesday morning.
if y’all really love Gilas then let the best players of the league play in every international tournament without any conflict... ??????????#NotHatingJustSaying https://t.co/Pf0kjX8KSB
— Kobe Lorenzo Forster Paras (@_kokoparas) August 22, 2018
Paras made it clear he wasn't hating and the PBA didn't seem offended, replying to Paras with a heart sign.
The exchange once again put the focus on the club-versus-country problem, which cropped up yet again in the lead-up to the Asian Games in Jakarta where the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas fielded a hastily assembled team bannered by the core of Rain or Shine's ballclub.
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstays, however, were absent as some were resting following either the PBA Finals or the brawl-marred Fiba World Cup qualifier against Australia last July.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, though, has been reiterating the league’s all-out support for the national team.
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