NOT wasting its time in the aftermath of a dismaying loss to New Zealand in the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup (WC) Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas will shift its focus to the next big goal in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi.
The SEA Games, where the Philippines is the long-time reigning basketball champion, is slated in May, making it a must for coach Chot Reyes to plot an early plan that is likely to feature a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)-backed squad.
“We have to meet with the PBA to synchronize calendars. We’re looking now at the Southeast Asian Games,” said Mr. Reyes following a split outing in the WC qualifiers with an 88-64 win over India and an 88-63 defeat to New Zealand for a 1-1 card in Group A.
In the said tournament, Gilas paraded a hastily-assembled squad led by the core of TnT Tropang Giga, national cadets, Dwight Ramos and Thirdy Ravena from the Japan B.League and naturalized player Ange Kouame of Ateneo.
For the SEA Games, it’s uncertain whether overseas players could be available anew while Mr. Kouame and other collegiate prospects like Justine Baltazar of La Salle and Carl Tamayo of UP are expected to be in the playoffs of the returning UAAP play.
“That’s another thing to take into consideration — who’s going to be available. Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question because we have to sit down and actually craft the plans,” Mr. Reyes lamented.
The PBA for its part, is expected to be hit the offseason by the time of the SEA Games after its ongoing Governors’ Cup that’s already on the tailend of elimination round.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has confirmed the scheduled conversation with Mr. Reyes, who also serves as TnT mentor in the PBA, as early as today regarding his proposal.
Gilas last sent an all-pro squad also in the SEA Games held in the country in 2019 under the tutelage of Ginebra mentor Tim Cone, who steered the Philippines to its 13th straight gold medal. — John Bryan Ulanday