SBP tackles Olympic qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas board convenes today to chart the country’s roadmap to the 2019 FIBA World Cup and may tackle Gilas Pilipinas’ stand on the Olympic world qualifier next year.

The SBP also plans to hold and schedule a convention and election of its officers.

“(The meeting) will be fluid and may lead to discussing future plans for Gilas,” SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas told The STAR.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and chairman Oscar Moreno sit down in a meeting with the board five days after Gilas Pilipinas bagged the silver medal in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.

With the runner-up finish in the Asian meet, Team Philippines earned a ticket to the Olympic world qualifier in July, next year.     

During the FIBA Asia Championship, SBP officials attended a workshop detailing the format and schedule of the new qualifying scheme for the World Cup. 

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios will brief members of the board on the World Cup qualifying format.

“My sense is we will report SBP’s report card on all its activities/programs, submit financial report, and plans for the remainder of the year,” said Vargas.

“We should also plan to hold and schedule a convention and election of officers,” Vargas added.

Initial talks on the future national team program may happen with SBP members from the PBA also attending the meeting.

Top PBA officials have said they’re looking forward to a meeting with the SBP to discuss options in forming the next national team.

They said they’re ready and willing to revise their 2016 calendar to accommodate Gilas’ participation in the coming Olympic world qualifier.

They’ve raised the option to revive the cadet program where PBA ball clubs will be barred from touching or drafting cadet players for a certain period of time.

Vargas said they’re indeed looking at the cadet program especially minus a real full commitment from PBA team owners in lending players to the national team.