THE man behind Strong Group Athletics is willing to help Gilas Pilipinas if asked.
Strong Group has built an impressive track record putting up talent-laden teams, including its entry in the ongoing Dubai International Basketball Championships led by former NBA stars Dwight Howard, Andre Roberson and Andray Blatche.
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Last year, the Frank Lao-owned squad paraded a team led by Shabazz Muhammad and another former NBA starter in Nick Young in the same tournament, where it bowed to eventual champion Al Riyadi in the quarters.
But did you know that aside from Howard, Blatche and Roberson, Strong Group also eyed former Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas and Demarcus Cousins. Only previous commitments kept the two from joining Howard and Co. in Dubai.
With such international clout and resources devoted to sports especially basketball, Lao was asked if he's willing to help the Gilas Piipinas national team program if asked by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Lao, in Dubai to personally look after his team, said Gilas is not lacking in support with no less than Manny V. Pangilinan and Ramon S. Ang backing the team. But he assured he'll never say no if asked.
"MVP and RSA are already doing a good job there. Alfrancis [Chua] is a good manager," said the normally elusive Lao. "[But] if they need [me], I will also help. For the country anyway, lahat naman tayo gusto mapasaya lang ang mamayang Pilipino."
“Okay kami tumutulong basta para sa bansa. Ito ngang Dubai stint, if you noticed wala naman ito gain sa mga businesses namin, we’re not even carrying any of our products. Peor ginagawa naming because we love Philippine basketball.
“Since pumasok kami sa basketball, alam ng lahat ng tao paano kami ka-hands on and supportive sa mga players and the whole team. So, we can also apply the same principle and commitment sa national team. Mas gusto nga namin yun. So why not?”
Howard for Gilas?
Asked if he is willing to help recruit Howard to become a naturalized player for the Gilas program, Lao said he doubts if the many-time NBA All-Star will be eligible to play for the Philippines after previously representing Team USA in Fiba events.
But if it's for the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games or other non-Fiba events with less-stringent rules on naturalized players, Lao said he's willing to help.
“Naglaro sa Team USA si Howard, di ba? Alam ko under Fiba rules bawal na siya maglaro para sa ibang country. Pero pag pwede, tutulong kami,” he said.
“Pwede rin namin tulungan ang Gilas na makuha si Howard para sa mga Asian Games, SEA Games at iba pang non-Fiba tournaments. Hindi lang kay Howard ha, pati sa iba pa naming contacts.
"Basta para sa bansa natin, tutulong kami, financially and spiritually,” added Lao.
Aside from the SGA campaign in Dubai, Lao has two teams in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and backs the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA and the Letran Squires in the NCAA juniors.
His son, Jacob, a former point guard of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP, is also the team governor of the Converge FiberXers in the PBA.
“We’re doing this to help uplift the level of basketball in our country. That’s one of the lasting legacies we want to leave behind. So, if offers for us to help the national team in general, super okay kami dyan,” the elder Lao said.
“We’re sports fans also. So we know what Filipino fans want and need. Gusto lang naman ng teams na pwedeng ipagmalaki, kaya ganun ang ginagawa namin,” he said.
Lao said it heartens him to see Filipino fans' all-out support for the SGA campaign in Dubai, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to watch its games.
“Natutuwa kami sa suporta ng mga Pilipino kasi from a mere program to develop our pool of players, naging national interest ang campaign ng Strong Group dito sa Dubai. Nakakataba ng puso kasi kahit puyatan ang schedule, napakadaming fans ang sumusuporta,” he said.
“Nakakatuwa nga kasi kahit Arabic ang salita ng commentators sa livestream, nakakatutok sila. Tapos ang ikinatutuwa pa ng mga organizers dito, mga games ng Pilipinas (Strong Group) ang highest viewed nila.
“So dun pa lang makikita mo ang passion ng mga Pinoy at yun ang mas nag-iinspire sa amin na mas lalo pang ituloy ang ginagawa namin.”
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