The PBA is still waiting for the list of names that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) plans to include in Gilas Pilipinas’ pool for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window set next month in Clark.
“Wala pa, hinihintay lang namin ‘yun,” said league commissioner Willie Marcial in a guest appearance in Noli Eala’s Power and Play, Saturday.
The federation is once again calling for assistance from the seasoned pros for the upcoming showpiece, where the national team will figure in rivalry games versus South Korea and the vastly-improved Indonesia.
PBA players have been made available for Gilas duties again. They were not able to report in the previous window last November, as it coincided with the league’s season held in a bubble in Clark, Pampanga.
The SBP is expected to form a ‘hybrid’ talent roster that consists of pros and amateurs, similar to the one utilized in the Qualifiers’ opening window last February where Gilas obliterated the Indonesians, 100-70.
That squad featured PBA cagers Kiefer Ravena, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, CJ Perez, Poy Erram, Justin Chua, and Abu Tratter.
Chua and Tratter were late additions following the withdrawal of Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger. The former begged off to spend a honeymoon with his wife, while the latter focused on recuperating from a knee injury.
Marcial hopes that the league can have the list as soon as possible so that matters will be discussed with the desired players right away.
“Kaya nga sabi namin, ibigay kaagad sa amin kung sino mga kailangan para makausap namin yung mga players. Kasi lahat nasa bakasyon eh,” he said.
“At, para makausap din nila. Ano ba plano ng SBP dun sa player na yun, ano ba magiging programa. Kailangan makausap din nila yung players na kukuhanin nila.”
Aside from the list, the league is also waiting for the federation’s decision regarding the special Gilas round for this year’s Rookie Draft, which will be held virtually on March 14.
“Hindi rin maka-decide ang SBP kung papano, kasi hindi pa nila alam kung sino ‘yung magpapa-draft,” said Marcial.
“So siguro by [January] 27 (deadline for draft application), ‘yun na ‘yun, hindi na natin ie-extend. Within a few days, magmi-meeting kami, paguusapan namin with the SBP kung may kukuhanin ba sa draft o papano.”
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