An’yare, SBP? Gilas, umurong sa Asian Games

SA bawat pagsabak ng Team Philippines sa multi-event competition sa abroad, nakasanayan na ang panawagan na ‘Matalo na sa lahat, huwag lang sa basketball’. Kaya’t labis ang hinagpis ng sambayanan sa bawat kabiguan ng Pinoy cagers sa international abroad – higit sa regional championship.

Ngayon, panghihinayang ang nadarama ng madla matapos – sa isang sopresang desisyon – ipahayag ng Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) na hindi na lalahok ang Gilas Philippines team sa Asian Games na nakatakda sa Agosto 12 hanggang Setyembre 2 sa Jakarta at Palembang sa Indonesia.

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Ilang oras matapos ang isinagawang press conference kung saan tinukoy ang PBA selection, sa pangangasiwa ni NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, gayundin ang posibilidad na makasama sa Asiad-bound Gilas ang Los Angeles Lakers Gil-Am na si Jordan Clarkson, tulad ng isang bagyong nag-iba ang ihip na hangin ang nakagigimbal ang biglang pagbabago ng desisyon ng SBP na pinamumuno ni Al Panlilio.

“The SBP remains committed to the continuous development of Philippine basketball, and to attaining the best possible results for our teams in the global stage. We thank Rain or Shine, especially its owners Terry Que and Raymond Yu, as well as NLEX Coach Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine Coach Caloy Garcia, for expressing their willingness to represent our nation in the upcoming Asian Games.

“However, to allow our National Team and our organization to regroup, prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel’s recent Decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournaments—including the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup—we have reached the conclusion that, with the forgoing considered and after consulting with the basketball community, the time and chance to participate in the 2018 Asian Games would not be optimal.

“We apologize to the Asian Games organizers, to the fans of the Philippine team, and to the Asian basketball community for this withdrawal. The SBP resolves to improve its systems, and to prepare programs that will better ensure respectable performances of our teams internationally, of which our countrymen can be truly proud,” pahayag sa media statement na ipinadala ng SBP Miyerkoles ng gabi.

Bago ito, nakipagpulong si Panlilio sa mga miyembro ng PBA Board kung saan napagkasunduan na ipahiram ang ilang players mula sa Rain or Shine at NLEX, habang itinalagang coach si dating Pampanga Vice Governor at NLEC coach Yeng Guiao at assistant si ROS coach Caloy Garcia.

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“It’s a big blow for the country’s campaign in the Asian Games. Masakit ito sa mga Pinoy dahil basketball talaga ang inaabangan nila sa international competition. Also, mahirap ipaliwanag na hindi tayo sasali kasi marami tayong players na available. Hindi kulang sa training dahil year-round ang PBA season,” pahayag ni Go Teng Kok, team manager ng 1991 RP Team na nagwagi ng silver medal sa Beijing Asiad.

“Sanctioned has already meted to Gilas players who were involved in the brawl against the Australian team, tapos na ‘yun moved on na. So why, pulling out in the Asian Games? Sayang naman,” sambit ni Go, patungkol sa gulong kinasangkutan ng Gilas at Auistralia sa FIBA Asia World Cup qualifying nitong Hulyo 2 sa Philippines Arena kung saan sinuspinde ang 10 Gilas players at pinamulta ng P13 milyon ang SBP ng FIBA (International Basketball Federation).

Ikinagulat din ni dating National standout at PBA legend at ngayo’y Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon ‘El Presidente’ Fernandez ang kagapan, ngunit, iginiit niyang walang magagawa ang ahensiya dahil ang pagsabak sa Asian Games ay nasa desisyon ng SBP—ang national sports association sa basketball – at ang Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Sinabi naman ni Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra na dagok sa kampanya ng delegasyon ang hindi pagsama ng basketball team sa Asian Games.