PBA urged to give Gilas more time to prepare for World Cup

MANILA, Philippines – A concerned fan of the men’s national basketball team pleaded the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board to allot more time for the Gilas Pilipinas squad to prepare for their return in the world stage.

A certain DJ DPAJR from Manila made a petition through change.org entitled “GILAS PILIPINAS deserves BETTER...Give them MORE TIME to PREPARE for the 2014 FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!”

As of posting time, the petition has already 373 supporters, which is intended to be delivered to the PBA Board.

The petitioner asked the oldest professional league in Asia to allow professional players to prioritize the preparations for the FIBA World Championships, a feat that took decades to happen.

“And so we PLEAD to our FAVORITE LOCAL LEAGUE, the PBA, its magnanimous board and its honorable commissioner, Angelico 'Chito' Salud...GILAS PILIPINAS deserves better.PLEASE give them more time to prepare. If possible we appeal that the GILAS PLAYERS be excused during the Governors Cup in order to give our NT ample time to prepare,” the petition reads.

“GILAS PILIPINAS, our hardworking NT coach Chot Reyes, MVP and the SBP needs our help...“

The petitioner also pointed out the sacrifices of other countries for their national squad.

“We all know that the PBA is a commercial league which needs to follow a schedule in order to fulfill its objectives. But so is the CBA of China, JBL of Japan and the KBL of South Korea,” the petition continues.

“If these other Asian commercial leagues can afford to have a 'FIBA Friendly' calendar, lend its players to their respective National Teams, give them sufficient time to prepare for international tournaments while maintaining a productive local league....WHY CAN'T WE??? “

Two-week preparation

PBA officials earlier said that they couldn’t adjust the league’s schedule similar to what they did last August, where they had a two-week break to give way to the FIBA Asia Championship.

The undersized but determined Gilas Pilipinas did the best they could and settled for second place in Asia after losing to Iran, which was still enough to earn a ticket to Spain.

The 39th PBA season could extend until August 11 if the Governors Cup Finals reach a winner-take-all Game Seven, while the World Cup begins on August 30.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes said that if the PBA sticks to its schedule, then they will only have two weeks to prepare.

“As of now daily training starts Aug. 1. If that’s the case, no time to try new players for roster change,” said Reyes in his Twitter account.

Related story: Chot may tap old Gilas pool for FIBA World

The multi-titled coach added that the team will have a once-a-week practice starting March.

“After February, but those are basically shooting drills and walk-throughs. Can’t go hard as players are still in-season,” Reyes added.

PBA should give way

FIBA Asia communications head S. Mageshwaran slammed the PBA for not giving importance to the national team.

He urged the PBA to make a sacrifice and postpone its Governor’s Cup to give way for the preparations of the national squad.

“The third and final conference of the PBA, the Governor's Cup, can be – and in my opinion should be – put off in support of the national team,” Mageshwaran said in a column that was published in the official FIBA Asia website.

“No league can survive or retain its credibility by denying the national team the time and space to prepare for an event as big as the World Cup. And any fan – including all those who steadfastly follow the PBA proceedings – would want their favorite players to don the national colours, given a choice,” he also wrote.

Gilas Pilipinas is composed of naturalized player Marcus Douthit, Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Gary David, Japeth Aguilar, Junmar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo and reserve Beau Belga.

"We don't want them (players) to be tourists in Spain. The target is to win at least two games and move to the next round," Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios earlier said.