MANNY Pacquiao is among those who believe there is still a need to reinforce the Gilas Pilipinas team with PBA players.
While he fully appreciates the program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to train young, promising talent to make up the national team pool, Pacquiao said it won't hurt to add a couple of pro players in the mix for future international campaign.
As they say, nothing beats experience.
"Kailangan pa rin siguro natin ng mga professionals, ng may experience, said Pacquiao, an avid fan of the game who once served as playing-coach of KIA (now Terrafirma). "Advantage na yung may experience na naglalaro."
Pacquiao, 42, was asked about his take on Gilas Pilipinas after serving as the special guest of former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala during the third-year anniversary episode of the weekly program Power&Play.
Several topics regarding Philippine sports were asked about Pacquiao during the program including the recent campaign of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, where the country completed a three-game sweep of its assignments in the Clark bubble.
That same team is currently in Belgrade, Serbia for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Pacquiao was impressed with the way Gilas performed in the Asia Cup qualifiers, especially after scoring back-to-back wins against old rival South Korea.
Still, he believes it wouldn't hurt the national team's cause if a number of pro players would be included in future Gilas Pilipinas endeavor, especially the 2023 FIBA World Cup which the country will be co-hosting with Indonesia and Japan.
"Hindi naman siguro lahat (PBA)," said Pacquiao. "Kailangan din natin ng bata. (Siguro) i-mix na lang para meron magdadala o magtitimon ng team."
The 42-year-old boxing great will be facing unbeaten Errol Spence on August 21 for the World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title belts.
He is set to leave for the US on July 3 to set up camp at good old Wild Card gym in Hollywood, California with long-time trainer Freddie Roach.
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