SBP shuns winning at all costs

MANILA, Philippines — SBP president Al Panlilio isn’t about to follow Cambodia’s passport-only policy in the recent SEA Games as a fast-track route to victory in basketball and decried the practice of winning at all costs.

“What Cambodia is doing is destroying the game,” said Panlilio. “Win at all costs is totally wrong.” Panlilio instructed Gilas team manager Butch Antonio to express his sentiments at the SEABA meeting in Phnom Penh last week. While SEABA, as a FIBA affiliate, has no control over rules in the SEA Games, member countries could take a strong stand on issues related to eligibility.  Antonio said eligibility was raised at the SEABA meeting and there was a consensus to set a standard for future SEA Games.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said what Cambodia did in the SEA Games shouldn’t be repeated in the next conclave. Cambodia enlisted five naturalized imports for men’s 5-on-5, three for men’s 3x3 and four for women’s 5-on-5 and 3x3. The use of mercenaries brought Cambodia a gold in men’s 3x3 and silver in men’s 5-on-5. The women were left off the podium.

“It’s true SEABA has no say on eligibility rules but teams that play in the SEA Games can unite and say we only play if it’s FIBA rules and SEABA will support that stand,” said Vargas. “FIBA likewise can do the same. It’s not about SEA Games rules. It’s more for preserving basketball integrity and order. This kind of rules does more harm than good for the development of grassroots basketball in the region. We should champion this thinking and take the lead as thought leader with the Philippines being the seat of basketball not only in the region but in the world.”

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said SBP was informed of Cambodia’s passport-only policy late last year. “For a while, we thought of bringing in a second naturalized player but (Ange) Kouame was injured,” said Reyes. “In the end, we decided to go with the FIBA standard of one naturalized player. We also stuck to our belief that players with heritage should be eligible as locals.”  Reyes pointed out in the last Asian Games, that was the rule so Jordan Clarkson was Gilas’ naturalized player, as recognized by FIBA and the Fil-foreign heritage players with passports regardless of when they were issued were Gabe Norwood, Stanley Pringle, Maverick Ahanmisi, Asi Taulava and Christian Standhardinger.