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Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced their group of 16 players for the 2021 FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers on Friday.
Ateneo Blue Eagles center Angelo Kouame leads the pack, along with former teammates Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, and current Ateneo cagers Dwight Ramos, Will Navarro and Dave Ildefonso.
Also included are Rey Suerte from Cebuano, Justine Baltazar center, former UP Maroon Jaydee Tungcab, Calvin Oftana from San Beda and Kenmark Cariño. The list is completed by Allyn Bulanadi, Kobe Paras, Juan and Javi Gómez de Liaño.
In a statement, the SBP said it obtained approval for the Gilas group to train for competition at a bubble-like campus in Calamba.
“The SBP is pleased to announce that we have received the go-ahead from the Chief of Implementation of the National Action Plan against COVID-19 Secretary, Carlito Gálvez, Jr., and Deputy Chief Implementer Assistant Secretary, Vince Dizon, to begin train our Gilas Pilipinas men’s team in preparation for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, which will take place on November 26-30 in Manama, Bahrain. The SBP already had a plan to form a team for the window November weeks ago, but we had to make sure we did everything according to the book due to the current situation, “said SBP president Al Panlilio.
“SBP President Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan, as part of the FIBA Central Board, has been adamant about our participation as FIBA restarts the Asia Cup Qualifiers to further strengthen our partnership with them and demonstrate that We fully support them in this endeavor. MVP’s guidance has been critical throughout this process and we are happy to finally get the green light. “
On October 19, the SBP wrote a letter to the National Working Group against COVID-19 (NTF), on behalf of the Interagency Working Group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), to request guidance on holding ” bubble “training and competing in Bahrain. The NTF advised against our team’s participation as the Department of Foreign Affairs did not allow Filipinos to travel to Bahrain.
SBP wrote a letter again last November 9 requesting a reconsideration, citing the very strict medical and safety protocols in place for the event, including testing prior to departure and upon arrival in Bahrain.
“After careful deliberation and taking into account the health and safety protocols of both countries involved, as well as the lifting by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the ban on travel to Bahrain, we are pleased to inform you that the NTF has reconsidered its position. above and hereby allows the SBP to participate in the Qualifiers for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 ”, the letter read.“ The NTF also allows SBP to conduct basketball practice at Inspire, Calamba, Laguna under an arrangement of ‘ bubble'”.
“Our partnership with the PBA allowed us to have five players on Isaac Go, Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto, Allyn Bulanadi and Rey Suerte as full time members of our Gilas Pilipinas men’s team and we have already sent out invitations to a select group of players to join. to our training, which will also have a bubble configuration, “explained Panlilio.” We are grateful for the continued guidance from the NTF and IATF and will work closely with them to ensure that our team’s preparation and departure from the Philippines is safe. “.
