BLACKWATER is making a huge sacrifice by lending its two key players to Gilas Pilipinas bound for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the expense of its playoffs bid in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Bossing released Abu Tratter and Dalph Panopio to the national team as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas scampered for eligible players who will make up Gilas' 12-man roster.
Blackwater is at the bottom of the standings in a tie with Terrafirma, but remains in the running for a quarterfinals spot.
Panopio, the third overall pick in the last draft, and Tratter will be skipping the team’s final two outings against defending champion San Miguel on Dec. 13, and TNT on Dec. 19 – all important games whose outcome will impact Blackwater’s chances of advancing to the playoffs.
READ: Justin Chua, Allen Liwag complete Gilas 12 for SEA Games
The SEA Games, where the Philippines is the defending men’s basketball champion, is set Dec. 9-21, with the 5-on-5 event kicking off on Dec. 13.
Coach Jeff Cariaso is fully aware of the consequences of not having his two key players during that stretch, but stressed the significance of playing for flag and country.
“Allowing both Abu and Dalph to join our Gilas national team for the SEA Games will definitely have an impact on our Blackwater squad for the last two remaining games. Both players play quality minutes and are important pieces in our rotation,” said Cariaso, himself a former national player.
“Nevertheless, we strongly believe the takeaways from allowing them to go will far outweigh the short-term setback. The experience of representing the country is special—something not everyone gets to do, and an opportunity that can help accelerate their development as players and as individuals.”
Both Tratter and Panopio had been part of the Gilas program previously.
The 32-year-old Tratter was actually part of the so-called ’23-for-23 pool’ of former national coach Chot Reyes, while Panopio, 25, was with the Batang Gilas squad that featured the Twin Tower of Kai Sotto and AJ Edu.
Wearing the Gilas colors again is certainly an honor for them, according to Cariaso.
“Another positive perspective is that this is our (Blackwater) way of contributing to the national program. Yes, we will miss two key rotational players, but having them wear the country’s colors is a different kind of honor,” said the Blackwater coach.
At the same time, Cariaso said lending the services of Panopio and Tratter to the national team wouldn’t be possible without the consent of team owner Dioceldo Sy.
“Huge credit goes to our team owner, Boss Dioceldo Sy, for seeing it this way and granting us his full support,” he said. “When I presented the idea after Gilas expressed interest in acquiring both Abu and Dalph, Boss Dio agreed without hesitation.”
Incidentally, Sy pointed out that Blackwater technically has three players in the SEA Games-bound national squad since veteran big man Justin Chua is also included in the Gilas roster.
Chua is still under contract with the Bossing, having been relegated to the unrestricted free agent list.
Sy’s involvement with the national team is nothing new as his Ever Bilena company has been a long-time supporter of the Gilas women’s squad.
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