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Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is now in the process of drafting a list of PBA players to include in the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers to be held in Clark , Pampanga in February.
In a joint virtual press conference with the PBA, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), SBP President Al S. Panlilio said the federation is seeking to send the names to the Commissioner Willie Marcial below. week.
“The ball is in my court. I need to work with Coach Tab Baldwin on the roster and get back to Commissioner Willie next week,” Panlilio said.
Since the PBA season will not start until April 2021, the SBP president said that he could afford to play some of the youngsters who swept Thailand in the second window in Bahrain last November along with some veterans and mainstays against Korea. South on February 18 and 22 and Indonesia on February 20.
“We want to continue the development of these young players. But in the window, since the PBA will be on a break, we will probably bring in some players from the PBA, especially as this seems to be a very difficult window for us. Matches against Korea and an Indonesia. much improved, “he explained.
A training bubble will take place again at Inspire Sports Academy, where the PBA stars can compete for spots on the list alongside their younger counterparts in January.
Against Indonesia, whom Gilas beat last February in the first window, and the Koreans, Panlilio said this is the first of many opportunities where the national team can gain cohesion with a mix of fans and professionals in preparation for the Cup. of the World 2023.
“It’s not just for this window, it’s more of a development program for SBP as you know,” he said. “Our vision is 2023. But we want to use these events to develop young players and attract veterans and have games where they play together so that we can become a better team in the future.”
IN TERMS OF By hosting the third window, Panlilio said that the SBP will replicate the entire configuration of the PBA bubble when the country hosts the last window in Clark.
“The expectation is that what we had as a configuration in the PBA bubble is still what it is, unless it is an improvement,” he shared.
“When FIBA asked us if we could house it as the PBA bubble, they were looking at the layout of the PBA bubble as it is. The understanding is that we will arrange in the exact conditions and facilities that we use inside the bubble of the PBA, “added CEO Sonny Barrios.
Panlilio added that it was really the success of the PBA bubble that really gave the Philippines the hosting job for the third window.
“Due to the success of the PBA bubble, it really paved the way for us at SBP to actually work with FIBA and offer the same Clark bubble to a FIBA competition in February,” he shared. “What got FIBA interested in taking a look at this bubble was really our success in the PBA bubble, where health was really paramount.”
The few improvements to be made within the bubble are only to ensure a more comfortable experience for the eight teams in Groups A and C who will play February 18-22.
In addition to some upgrades to be made by the Quest Hotel, which served as the home for two months for the 12 PBA teams, the SBP is also considering adding meeting rooms, changing rooms and display, as well as another practice facility, although Panlilio said it is feasible for the University of Angeles Foundation (AUF) to host all team practices, albeit at alternate times.
“In other countries, it’s the same places where practices are held. With only eight teams, I think we can do that. I think the PBA did that with 12 teams using just AUF as a venue. At the very least, I think AUF will work. but we will discuss whether we need an additional facility, “he said.
“We are combining what we have learned from both the PBA and our stay in Bahrain (in the second window),” Barrios said. “One modification is at the AUF, where we seek to have a dedicated meeting room, dressing room and observation room for each of the eight teams. They won’t have to swap or wait for a dressing room to be vacated.”
A dedicated isolation facility will also be reassembled inside Clark in the event of a positive result for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In November, the PBA chose to move from Athlete’s Village in New Clark City, which was also being used by the Pampanga and Tarlac province, to Mt. Carmel Medical Center, which will likely be the same facility that will be used in the third window.
“We realized that there should be a dedicated facility in case someone tests positive,” said BCDA President Vince Dizon. “We decided in November to have a dedicated facility at Clark, and we will continue with that again for the future bubble in February.”
Testing will naturally be of the utmost importance, and could also be considered better testing labs, said PBA Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro.
“The test is very crucial,” he said. “We could assign a testing lab. There is no perfect testing, but this time, once we host the FIBA Asia Cup in February, we really need to have accurate testing.”
That will be key to avoiding a similar outcome from a pair of scares midway through the PBA bubble in late October, when a pair of false positives marred the Philippine Cup schedule for a couple of days.
To create a more secure bubble, the same strict IATF protocols that were instituted after the false positives came out will be combined with those of FIBA’s health standards.
“What we’ve done is the IATF instituted stricter protocols in addition to the protocols that were initially approved. I think that resulted in a stricter system to ensure we didn’t encounter the same issues. And as a result, after those two instances , the bubble developed smoothly until the end in early December. We will continue with those strict protocols, “said Dizon.
“FIBA has its own guidelines, and it will marry the IATF. I’m sure it will continue to be a very safe place,” added Panlilio.
Of course, part of those protocols include tests on arrival for all parties coming from abroad, regardless of any negative test results they may present upon entering the Philippines.
“When we begin preparations with the SBP at the helm, we will need to speak with each of the countries that have confirmed the bubble to ensure that our protocols are aligned and consistent,” Dizon said. In terms of testing protocols, we must follow the existing IATF protocols.
“Even if they already have results before arrival, they still need to be tested as soon as they arrive. They must still wait for the results at a designated isolation facility. We cannot make exceptions there. We will follow standard isolation testing and protocols for all foreign passengers “.
Meanwhile, FIBA expressed its gratitude for SBP’s initiative to host two groups in February.
“We greatly appreciate SBP’s approval to host Group C in the Philippines during Window 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers, in addition to hosting Group A,” said Hagop Khajiran, FIBA Executive Director Asia . “The positive and constructive positions of SBP whenever FIBA Asia needs their support are really appreciated.”
