THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has submitted the list of PBA players it wants for Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in February to be held in Clark, Pampanga.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the move but declined to reveal the names of the players, saying no one has yet to be informed that they are part of the SBP’s ‘wish list' and asked about their availability.
“Nagbigay na sa amin ng mga pangalan pero hindi pa namin puwedeng ilabas kasi kakausapin pa namin ‘yung mga teams at kakausapin pa namin ‘yung mga players,” said Marcial on Monday.
The names of four TNT players in Bobby Ray Parks, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, and Poy Erram, as well as Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra and Matthew Wright of Phoenix Super LPG, however, have already been mentioned as possible PBA players that will be part of the pool.
The six players mentioned above are part of a list of 15 to 18 PBA players who are being eyed to be part of a 29-man pool that will be gathered to train in a bubble set-up at the Inspire Sports Academy weeks before the February qualifiers.
The 18 PBA players include the five from the special Gilas draft last year - Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, Rey Suerte, and Allyn Bulanadi - as well as Terrafirma star CJ Perez and Christian Standhardinger, who, if available, will likely take the naturalized player spot with Ange Kouame's naturalization a long ways from being completed.
Marcio Lassiter is expected to get a call-up at San Miguel since Gilas mainstay June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo - who previously played for current Gilas program director Tab Baldwin - both unavailable due to injuries.
The rest of the spots will be filled up by the cadets that flew the flag for the country in the last Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in Manama, Bahrain, where they swept two games against Thailand under coach Jong Uichico.
Marcial said he is in touch with SBP president Al Panlilio, who is also the team governor of Meralco in the PBA, as to the possible lineup for the February window in which Gilas Pilipinas will face Asia rival South Korea and Indonesia.
A big pool of PBA players was formed to prepare for the eventuality that some may not be able to commit for Gilas in the February window.
“Baka ‘yung iba nasa bakasyon, baka ‘yung iba hindi maka-commit kaya ayaw rin naming ilabas. At least, nasa akin na. Magkausap na kami ni Gov. Al Panlilio. Hindi na muna namin ilalabas ang pangalan,” he said.
Marcial assured that the PBA is fast-tracking the process so that Gilas Pilipinas could already prepare for the February matches.
“Kapag nakausap na na medyo okay sila, kakausapin pa sila ng SBP. Pero minamadali madali na rin namin ng konti,” said Marcial.
The Philippines is currently leading Group A with a 3-0 record, needing only one win from three matches to seal their place in the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup.
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