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Gilas Pilipinas could be looking to build a team of PBA stars and young mainstays when the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers hits in February.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said on Thursday that the federation could look to bring in some veterans, as the league will not start the 2021 season at that time of year.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said in interviews more than a month ago that the league plans to start the next season around March or April, which will make any player willing to represent the flag available against South Korea and Indonesia. on February 18 and 21.
“This is the time that we can test these youngsters, and then by the next window in February, maybe there is no PBA at that time, so now we can have a combination of veterans and this new generation of players,” he said. on the 2OT Podcast.
Only Gilas’ college stars and special recruits will see action on November 27 and 30, when the national team faces Thailand twice in the second window inside a bubble in Bahrain.
In the group of 15 men are Kobe Paras, brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano, Justine Baltazar, Isaac Go, twins Mark and Mike Nieto, Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi, Jaydee Tungcab, Dwight Ramos, Dave Ildefonso, William Navarro , Calvin Oftana and Kemark Carino.
Panlilio said some PBA stars like CJ Pérez and Kiefer Ravena expressed their willingness to join the team, but the SBP president said the federation chose to go in another direction to let these players rest after a grueling bubble experience in Clark, Pampanga.
“We thank the players who have committed to really playing for the team, like CJ Pérez, Kiefer also sent the word that he is willing to play. But I think they have sacrificed a lot for the PBA as well,” said Panlilio. .
“They have been there, when the four teams were initially eliminated, for maybe six weeks already in the bubble, and then you will ask them to go into another bubble in Inspire, and from there go straight to Bahrain,” he continued. “So you’re looking at maybe eight or nine weeks in the bubble, and I think it’s too exhausting for them physically and mentally, and I don’t want them to get injured from that sacrifice as well.”
At the same time, allowing a non-professional contingent to play in Bahrain, and possibly future tournaments, will help them gain much-needed experience that will allow them to compete for places on the 2023 World Cup roster.
“I’m excited because he’s only going to level up Filipino basketball with this experience,” he said. “I’m excited to see who of these players will be there in 2023 competing for spots with the PBA veterans. It will be good to see a split between these youngsters and some PBA veterans.”
“Of course, you still need a June Mar (Fajardo) for their height and experience, you may still need a Japeth Aguilar or Roger Pogoy to have experience. But these young people can be part of the team,” added Panlilio. “We are really looking at this as a long-term program for the national team.”
