Offshoot of PHL-Taiwan row: Gilas Jones Cup invite withdrawn

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas’ buildup for the coming FIBA Asia Championship suffered a big blow when the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association withdrew its invitation to the Philippines for the 2013 Jones Cup.

The Taipei cage federation advised the Philippine national team of the cancellation of the invitation in a letter to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan last night.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes said it’s a serious setback to the team since “the Jones Cup is such an integral part of our preparation.”

The CTBA made the decision due to the ongoing Philippine-Taiwan row stemming from the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard.

“We now have to find a replacement tournament. It’s a must. We can’t do it with just practices,” Reyes told The STAR.

The problem is where to get the suitable replacement for the Jones Cup, the traditional tune-up competition among the different national teams in the region.

“Honestly, I don’t know yet where to go,” said Reyes, whose wards are the defending Jones Cup champions.

The 2013 Jones Cup is slated in July, two weeks before the FIBA Asia Championship set Aug. 1-11 in Manila.

It is supposed to be Gilas’ only other international trip outside of its two-week Lithuanian training in June where the Nationals get to play six tune-up matches with Lithuanian pro teams.

Earlier, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios clarified that the Philippines had received an invitation from Jones Cup organizers as early as January this year.

“It’s not that we were not invited. In fact, we were invited. But today (yesterday) we received a letter from them that to be prudent about the matter, it’s better if we did not participate this year,” he said.

Barrios said the letter, which came via e-mail, was “well written and very diplomatic” and that the organizers were merely concerned about the safety of our team.

“Because of the issue, they said they could not guarantee our safety. They are more concerned than anything else,” said Barrios, also a former PBA commissioner.

Barrios said it was unfortunate that the Philippines could not be part of the Jones Cup this year.

“The organizers even praised the Philippine for its participation in the Jones Cup through the years and even cited the fact that our team always helped bring in the crowd,” Barrios said.

The letter, which was received by the SBP yesterday, leaves the Philippines with no other choice.

“We cannot force ourselves in. If it’s about the safety of our players and other team members we will heed their advice. We cannot go there and risk our safety,” he said.

“So, we’d rather not participate this time. Unless overnight something happens and we are told that the issue has been resolved or there’s no more tension,” Barrios added.

“Hindi maubos ang problema ng Gilas,” rued Reyes whose pool is hit by health woes to Kelly Williams, Jarred Dillinger, Ryan Reyes and Sonny Thoss.

Gilas’ roster is down to 13, namely, Marcus Douthit, Greg Slaughter, Junmar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Gary David, Larry Fonacier, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Jayson Castro, LA Tenorio and Jimmy Alapag. – With report from Abac Cordero