MAKAPAGBUO ng isang “full-time national team” na isasabak ng bansa sa 2023 FIBA World Cup ang hangad ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Ito’y matapos na makita ang problema sa pagkakaroon ng isang koponang daglian ang pagkakabuo at may maikling panahon lamang ng preparasyon.

“Hindi na pwede yung ganoon. We saw the weakness of that formula already,”ayon kay SBP president Al Panlilio.

“That’s why we are saying that we have to build a dedicated team for 2023. The SBP is now given the opportunity to increase the pool every year, draft players, add players and the SBP will decide with the team moving forward.”

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“It’s about continuity, of players playing together, competing, exposing themselves in international competition, and hoping they become better for the national team. The objective of the national team is we can show development, that we’ll be better than the last time. Hopefully with the continued support of the PBA, we can develop the team that can prepare us for 2023.”

Ngunit ayon din kay Panlilio, hindi naman ito agad agad na mangyayari at hindi pa rin maiiwasan na humingi ng ayuda ang Gilas Pilipinas sa PBA.

Gayunman, ang pangunahin nilang hangad ay magkaroon ng isang buong core na handang isabak sa mga international competitions na iri-reinforce na lamang ng ilang PBA players kung kinakailangan.

Sa ngayon ay mayroong pitong players sa Gilas pool na kinabibilangan nina Gilas draftees Isaac Go, Matt at Mike Nieto, Rey Suerte at Allyn Bulanadi, at ang bagong dagdag na sina Thirdy Ravena at Jaydee Tungcab.