Phl Gilas-NBA stars tune-up called off

MANILA, Philippines - The ultimate test Gilas Pilipinas had hoped for in its last stand at home before the FIBA World Cup in Spain against a select group of NBA stars ended up in drills and scrimmages at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

After a long delay, organizers told a restive crowd that “something different” will be dished out by the Nationals and the American stars although they failed to announce that the tune-up game had been scrapped.

The game with another slated to be held today, billed as the highlight of a charity event for typhoon victims, were reportedly called off since organizers failed to obtain sanctions from the NBA.

There were frantic efforts to salvage the game earlier in the evening but an NBA representative had informed organizers that ace players like James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Demar DeRozan, Damian Lillard and others, would not be allowed to play for what had been considered as an unsanctioned event.

“This charity event is not going to be a game. What we’ll show you is how we actually prepare. I hope you enjoy,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

PLDT HOME executive vice president Ariel Fermin later addressed the crowd and said the affair will be an entirely different show that will focus on the preparations of the Nationals. He, however, assured that they would be willing to refund tickets bought if the fans would not appreciate the drills.

 “But since this is for charity and for those typhoon victims, hopefully you help us help other people,” said Fermin.

There were earlier allegations that organizers had failed to get the sanctions from the NBA to hold the charity event.

“I don’t know that,” Fermin told The STAR.

“In the first place, we didn’t announce in our print ads and flyers that it’s going to be a game. We said it’s for charity,” said Fermin.

“Yun talaga ang plano, para tulungan ma-train ang Gilas. (That’s really the plan, to help train Gilas)” added Ferman.

Boos and catcalls greeted Fibr All-Stars coach John Lucas and the players as they started the drills.

Soon, the crowd chanted “re-fund! re-fund! re-fund!” as they headed to the exits.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios said their boss Manny V. Pangilinan would be prepared for a “refund scheme.”

“No. 1 is his mind is that we don’t short-change the public,” said Barrios.

Pangilinan was in the crowd together with top executives of PLDT and other companies under his group.

There were something amiss after the American stars had arrived Monday as two of their biggest draws – Blake Griffin and Paul George – were a no-show at the airport.

Griffin, the Los Angeles Clippers mainstay, decided to stay home but later issued a statement, apologizing for his absence in the event.

“I will come over and spend one-on-one time with you and do all the great things I’ll miss today with the charity, the kids, and of course, all of you who are looking forward to spending a great time with all of us from Team Fibr,” said Griffin.

“Keep all your tickets, because we will definitely see each other soon,” he added.

George, for his part, said he failed to join the group due to personal reasons.