CHICAGO - Losing Scottie Thompson from the Gilas Pilipinas roster to next month's Olympic Qualifying Tournament felt like being in a doctor's office and getting told that something was "inoperable."
Among the glittery names in Tim Cone's handpicked players, Thompson was the indispensable gem, a creative scorer and elite defender.
Iskati is irreplaceable, a gap that cannot be bridged. As presently constituted, he is Gilas' best playmaker, a master in executing the triangle offense that Cone loves to run.
READ Big blow for Gilas as Scottie Thompson ruled out of OQT
Sadly, even if the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), which is so incredibly adept in managing crises, attempts to mitigate the damage, it simply cannot.
Putting in a replacement is not an option because securing a visa for Latvia on short notice is almost impossible at this point, I am told.
This is so crushing, demoralizing.
IT IS ALSO, IN SOME WAYS, AVOIDABLE.
When Gilas announced its pool for the upcoming FIBA cycle last January 29, I asked an SBP executive why there were only 12 players.
The response was "it was coach Tim's decision."
Giving the coach autonomy in personnel matters is great but what harm would it have done for the SBP to insist on expanding the pool to make allowances for injuries and personal emergencies?
Matthew Wright and Jordan Heading have both publicly expressed their shared desire to make themselves available for a call-up but their phones never rang.
Why?
HOW ABOUT ROGER POGOY?
The TNT star has recovered from a health issue. In his final game during the just-concluded Philippine Cup, he carded 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists while hitting 2-of-3 from downtown.
A floor spacer, a terrific shooter, and veteran international campaigner, why wasn't Roger commissioned as a stand-by option?
Between the time Cone was officially named as permanent coach and the July 3 play date with host Latvia, Gilas had 156 days to figure things out.
You'd think that's enough. Well, not quite.
Our national team is heading to battle against two powerhouse European teams with only 11 players instead of 12. And without its starting playmaker.
It's a handicap it cannot afford to surrender.
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