Gilas fans clamor for change after FIBA World Cup exit

MANILA, Philippines — Basketball in the Philippines is like a religion, and after a dismal outing for Gilas Pilipinas in the World Cup, fans are starting to ask for change.

Amid reports of the PBA reviewing the system of training for Gilas, Filipinos couldn't help but bare their own opinions.

PBA will review system of training Gilas, awaits post-mortem with SBP-change is coming! https://t.co/zKYBkw3I54 @PhilippineStar @Sports5PH @StarSportsHub

— Quinito Henson (@TheDeanQuinito) September 5, 2019

A couple of Twitter users suggested changes in the PBA's schedule to allow players more time to train with the national team.

PBA should just have 2 conferences w/ a summer break from June to August to allow nat’l team pool to train and join int’l tourneys, preferably in Europe where their style of play is better. Gilas should get a European coach.

— Teddy Dario (@teddydario) September 5, 2019

I agree that pba schedule should be fix to let our players play for country. Success of our national team is the success of the pba. I hope they can form a coaching staff that all company will support.

— GT-R 21 (@Poliboy21) September 5, 2019

With the PBA Commissioner's Cup concluding only a week before the World Cup, players like June Mar Fajardo, RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario had shortened preparation time for the international tourney.

Twitter user @RealTalkMarco also suggested a long-term program for the national team, citing team culture and chemistry as important factors in winning games.

Hope they consider Chot Reyes or Tab Baldwin again. I also hope they also considered putting a team exclusively for our national team like the one with Coach Toroman before. Team culture and chemistry is a vital part to a successful national team. Not just practicing for 3 mos.

— MΛRCO ???? (@RealTalkMarco) September 5, 2019

"Team culture and chemistry is a vital part to a successful national team. Not just practicing for 3 mos," the tweet read.

IamRjay, meanwhile, believes Gilas shouldn't need to rely on naturalized players and develop the skill sets of our own players instead.

Dont need to two naturalized and depend on them..we need to develop skill set same level with international teams also officiating on game calls should be the same so we dont need to adjust..we are left behind when suppose to be we are one of the oldest countries playin the sport

— IamRjay (@rockduke) September 5, 2019

@Myersone1 also noted the physical toll the PBA season takes on players.

And also look for the welfare of our players, they are prone to injuries because of that PBA-SBP Program. Almost a All Year Round Tournaments. I feel sad for Matthew & Marcio????

— myersone1 (@myersone11) September 6, 2019

"They are prone to injuries because of that PBA-SBP Program. Almost a(n) all year round tournaments," the tweet read.

It is unclear how the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will respond following the tough end to Gilas' World Cup campaign.

The Filiipino cagers are in Beijing and are set to play two more qualification matches against Tunisia and Iran for a chance to play in the Olympics in Tokyo next year.