THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is inclined to bring San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua as a major part of Gilas Pilipinas program.
SBP president Al Panlilio said the federation is in touch with Chua for a much-bigger role with the national team, instead of mostly staying behind the scenes.
“We are talking to Alfrancis,” said Panlilio. “He has been helping in the background. But I want to sort of formalize it [for him] to be part of the program.”
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Panlilio hopes that Chua can reprise his role during the Asian Games where he served as co-team manager with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial of the Gilas side that won the Asiad gold medal for the first time in 61 years.
“Sana maulit ‘yung Asian Games na he was here and kung maulit ‘yun, papasalamat ako kay RSA [Ramon S. Amg] kung mangyari uli ‘yun. We are talking to him. Hopefully, we can make him a part of this,” said Panlilio.
Gilas coach Tim Cone hopes that Chua would be on board, noting how important the concurrent PBA vice-chairman and Barangay Ginebra team governor can be to him and to the national team.
“One of the things that we are hoping hard is that Alfrancis Chua would join us and we are looking forward to him joining me on the bench and being a stronger part of the program,” said Cone.
“He has always been there for me to consult with and talk with. And of course, we have that great run in the Asian Games which was fantastic,” said Cone.
Cone recalled that, aside from being the team manager, Chua served as a motivator to the team on the bench during their Asian Games campaign - a role he hopes the latter can reprise in the coming competitions of Gilas such as the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers and the tournament proper.
“It was great having him, hereby on the bench, motivating the players, he is such a great motivator. That’s one of the things that we hope to enhance the program with his presence," said the two-time PBA grand slam winner.
We are still working on it but it’s something that I’m really hoping that we get and one of the things that we are hoping to go forward with his presence."
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