PBA forms pool early for Gilas II

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball Association have set a meeting next week to lay down the concept and guidelines of their partnership for the formation of the next national team.

This developed as PBA commissioner Chito Salud formally informed yesterday the SBP board of the pro league’s plan to form a pool that would be made available for the national team.

“We’ve agreed to meet next week to start talks,” said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios on what was agreed upon during the SBP board meeting at the PLDT office in Makati.

The SBP and the PBA will again join forces for the formation of Smart Gilas II that will vie to make the grade for the World Championship in the next Asian meet.

In the same meeting, SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and the executive director reported that they’ve made a bid to host the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

“Nothing’s written down yet but we’re hopeful for a talk with the PBA regarding the concept and implementing guidelines,” said Barrios on the formation of Gilas II.

“It’s already okay conceptually. To be discussed is how to implement and/or how to execute the program,” Barrios added.

Who will be the coach and when will the PBA players be released to the national team are among the key issues.

The PBA board has said it’s willing to release players to the national team barring distraction to its calendar.

“We have to sit down with SBP on this. We have to know their plans for the next two years. But definitely, we’re willing to make available players for the national team,” said Salud during the media launch of the 37th PBA season.

 “That would answer the concern of fans and both the SBP and the PBA. We still have a lot of room to improve and we’re taking small steps to go there,” Salud added.

 PBA board chair Mert Mondragon believes the PBA would benefit from the impact made by Smart Gilas in its fourth-place finish in the recent FIBA Asia championship.

 “Undoubtedly, the success of Smart Gilas brings basketball higher to the consciousness of the fans. The entry of Gilas players to the PBA will energize the PBA,” said Mondragon.