Gilas training to proceed without hitch

MANILA, Philippines — All PBA teams expressed continued support to Gilas Pilipinas despite the feud between two groups on the tenure of PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.

Teams opposed to the move of the MVP/PLDT-led bloc to no longer support renewal of Narvasa’s term as PBA commissioner promised that they will continue to make available their players to the Philippine team.

This will mean June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra and Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort are still free to join Gilas as it starts its campaign in the FIBA Asia World Cup home-and-away qualifying series versus Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 24 and Chinese Taipei at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 27.

Amidst the conflict among PBA governors, Gilas was to return to training camp last night.

“Yes we will practice but behind closed doors. No Gilas player/coach will grant any interview in the meantime. I hope you understand,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes on his Twitter account.

Kia’s LA Revilla and Star’s Jio Jalalon are part of the national training pool of cage patron Manny V. Pangilinan, the MVP/PLDT top boss.

“All five teams composed of San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Star Hotshots, Globalport and Kia Picanto will continue to make available its players to the Philippine team that is preparing for the Fiba-Asia World Cup qualifier and other league functions,” the group said in a statement.