Gullas hailed Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco, Jr.’s initiative in assembling the fractious elements in Philippine basketball and asserting his leadership to get everyone on the same page.
"I think with Peping on top of the situation, we’ll see a true development plan for basketball unfold," said Gullas. "What we’ve seen from the BAP in the past was just a hodge-podge solution to the problem. For instance, in the last National Students Intercollegiate Championships, I noticed there were only a few premier teams that played. A lot of mediocre teams showed up because the best teams were in another competition, the Challenge to Champions. Obviously, the BAP couldn’t get the best for the National Championships and that’s an indication of a failure of leadership."
Gullas said what he hopes will emerge from the discussions presided by Cojuangco is a representation of leagues outside Metro Manila.
"We shouldn’t forget the provinces," pointed out Gullas. "We shouldn’t just call on the UAAP, NCAA, PBA and PBL. There are very competitive leagues in provinces like Cebu and Davao and I think they should be represented in the discussions, too."
As for what team should carry the country’s colors in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) tournament in Singapore on June 20-26, Gullas said he’s not in favor of a pure PBA team.
"I prefer to give a chance to our amateur players," said Gullas. "I would rather send the Lhuillier team reinforced by PBL standouts and other stars from the collegiate leagues. I realize the SEABA Championships is crucial because it’s the qualifying tournament for the FIBA-Asia Championships in Doha. With little training time left, I can understand why the committee headed by Peping isn’t thinking of taking chances. So whatever is the committee’s decision, under the circumstances, I will endorse."
The Philippines has to finish top two in Singapore to qualify for the FIBA-Asia Championships where slots are reserved for the host country, the top five finishers of the previous tournament and the two qualifiers from Asia’s five regions, including Southeast Asia.
In the last FIBA-Asia Championships in Harbin two years ago, the Philippines wound up 15th of 16. The Cebuana Lhuillier team was coached by Aric del Rosario with Dong Vergeire as assistant and its players were Richard Melencio, Celino Cruz, Jonathan de Guzman, Chris Nicdao, Romar Menor, Dennis Madrid, Emerson Oreta, Willie Wilson, Bitoy Omolon, Ricky Calimag, Marc Pingris and Bernzon Franco.
The Philippines lost to Japan (66-64), Qatar (77-69), Hong Kong (66-58), Kuwait (79-66) and Syria (95-77) and beat Jordan, 83-67, and Malaysia, 78-63. The top five finishers were China, South Korea, Qatar, Lebanon and Iran, in that order.
"I agree with your prediction that the Pistons will repeat. And they truly will. In last year’s playoffs, Indiana and the Lakers had the homecourt edge over my Pistons. But they still won. With the help of God, hopefully, they will repeat.
Another reader Boyet Dones chimed in:
"I definitely agree with your forecast that the Pistons will repeat as NBA champs. They’ve been playing championship form entering the playoffs."
Finally, dear friend and loyal reader Cocoy Velez of Carmen, Cagayan de Oro, confirmed that his brother Mariano, or Nene, was on the Philippine boxing team that competed at the 1948 London Olympics.
"Nene died in October 2002 in Cagayan de Oro of liver and lung complications," said Cocoy. "He finished commerce at Far Eastern University and was a member of the FEU varsity team with Gochangco, Andy de la Cruz, Gavieres, Araneta, Cuna and many others. He was also welterweight boxing champion of the Philippines. He was third among five brothers."
The rest of Cocoy’s letter:
"Too bad I had a wrong prediction on Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Erik Morales. Manny was not himself as compared to his fight with Barrera. He did not have the power and stamina. He showed his weakness in the middle of the fight. He must have overtrained.
"I wonder if you have seen arnis, our local fencing. A certain Bobby Tabimina of Iligan is in Mandaluyong teaching arnis. He is one of the top disciples of the late Anciong Bacon, the recognized grandmaster of Cebu and Northern Mindanao. If you are interested to see for yourself real arnis, you may contact Bobby and he can see you personally to demonstrate arnis anywhere you want. His address is No. 926-A San Juan Street, Mandaluyong, cell 0919-92348433."
Interested parties may phone Bobby directly.