PBA board tackles Gilas woes

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA Board of Governors sits down in a meeting Thursday to tackle the concerns of the national team, including its participation in the Asian Games in Indonesia next month and the possible substitutes to suspended Gilas players.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial considered a virtual done deal the Rain or Shine ball club being tapped to replace TNT KaTropa as the country’s replacement in the Asiad set Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 in cities of Jakarta and Palembang.

Posing problem are Rain or Shine’s requests of reinforcement from the other teams and enlistment of Yeng Guiao to head the coaching staff for the Asiad.

“It can’t be done because the PBA isn’t stopping play during the Asian Games period. We’re allowing only one ball club. We’ll free them of games in the PBA while they’re in the Asian Games,” Marcial pointed out.

“Maybe, Rain or Shine can take a look at the Gilas cadets considered by TNT,” Marcial also said, referring to Abu Tratter, Kobe Paras and Richie Rivero.

Marcial said he’s sounded off to the PBA governors the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ plan of tapping ROS as a replacement to TNT.

“The ROS owners have said yes, and the governors of the other teams are okay with it,” said Marcial.

Meanwhile, Christian Standhardinger, Arwind Santos, Greg Slaughter, Vic Manuel, Raymond Almazan and Beau Belga are among PBA players who have said they’re ready to sub for the suspended Gilas players.

Calvin Abueva, RR Pogoy, Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, Japeth Aguilar, Carl Bryan Cruz and Andray Blatche are to serve suspension along with coaches Chot Reyes and Jong Uichico in the aftermath of the Gilas-Australia brawl.

Because of the suspension -- though confined on the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, TNT KaTropa is ready to relinquish the privilege to play in the Asian Games.

But everything still has to be cleared with the PBA board.

“We have to meet with the PBA board,” said SBP president Al Panlilio who also sits in the PBA board as representative of the Meralco Bolts ball club.