MANILA, Philippines - There’s no question as to whether the pro league will again lend players to the national team that will be formed for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.
The question is who will be available.
“For sure, it will depend on the condition and availability of the players,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud on the eve of the PBA board meeting where they will discuss SBP’s request for participation of PBA players in select international meets leading to the 2013 Asian meet.
“Pag ayaw ng player, hindi talaga pwede (If the player is not amenable, he can’t be forced to join the team),” Salud added.
Salud, however, said they have laid down their calendar of activities up to 2013, freeing the months of August and September to make the PBA players available for the FIBA tourneys to be participated in by the Phl team.
“Coach Chot is looking at two international tournaments this year and another two next year. We’ll present the schedules to the PBA board for its approval,” said Salud.
The STAR has earlier reported that the national coach will request a pool of 16 players from the pros.
He hinted at his crack players at Talk n Text and some Smart Gilas originals as the ones he’s eyeing to banner the Phl team that will aspire to qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup (formerly world championship).
The big question is whether all PBA teams are willing to lend players to the team.
Some teams refused the last time, and coach Rajko Toroman made do with players from the MVP Group as Team Pilipinas copped third runner-up honors in the 2011 Tianjin Asian meet.
Among players look cinch to make the new pool are Marcus Douthit, Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jason Castro, Larry Fonacier, Gary David and Marcio Lassiter.
Meanwhile, Barako Bull signed in 6-foot-10 forward Reggie Okosa as replacement to Rodney White who had to rush home to attend to his ailing father.
Finishing its PBA Commissioner’s Cup elims stint with a 4-5 win-loss card, Barako Bull can gain outright entry into the quarterfinals or figure in a playoff, depending on the result of the closing play date of the preliminary round tomorrow.
Barangay Ginebra plays Air21 at 5:15 p.m. then Talk n Text squares up with Petron Blaze at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Texters and the Kings are chasing outright semifinal entry while the Express and the Boosters are just looking for a triumphant exit. Air21 and Petron are already out of the playoff race.