Stronger SBP-PBA tie-up seen

MANILA, Philippines – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is optimistic its latest agreement with the Philippine Basketball Association, though focused on the 2016 Olympic world qualifier, could lead to a stronger tie-up in the future.

“The immediate task at hand is the Olympic wildcard play. We have time to discuss the new FIBA calendar for the 2019 World Cup. But with this positive development, we’re confident this would continue (beyond the Olympic qualifier),” said SBP vice president Al Panlilio, who also sits on the PBA board representing the Meralco Bolts.

“Moving forward, I’m confident this collaboration would become stronger. I believe this would carry on,” Panlilio also said.

Meanwhile, SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan officially declared Gilas Pilipinas is competing in the Olympic qualifier.

“We welcome the assistance of the PBA and thank the PBA board for its support,” said Pangilinan. “The SBP will forthwith file with FIBA, through the Philippine Olympic Committee, the requisite registration form, indicating our intention to participate.”

Panlilio said they might as well bid to host the event since Gilas is playing.

“It’s a tough competition among six tough teams. We’ll need all the help we can gather. There’s a FIBA meeting in November. We’ll see when is the deadline in submitting a letter of intent,” said Panlilio.

France, Serbia, Greece, Italy and Czech Republic from FIBA Europe, New Zealand from Oceania, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico from Americas, Angola, Tunisia and Senegal from Africa, and the Philippines, Iran and Japan are the teams gaining tickets to the Olympic wildcard plays.

These teams will be divided into three groups, competing in three separate qualifying tourneys where the champions complete the 12-team cast in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Gaining automatic passage into the Olympics from the regional qualifiers are Australia, Spain, Lithuania, Venezuela, Argentina, Nigeria and China. Brazil is qualified as a host country while the United States made it as winner of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

To help Gilas form a competitive team, the PBA board approved a resolution releasing 17 PBA players to join naturalized player Andray Blatche in the national pool.

Named to the pool are San Miguel’s Junmar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter, Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Greg Slaughter, Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan and Paul Lee, Star’s Marc Pingris and Ian Sanggalang, Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, Talk n Text’s Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Ryan Reyes and Troy Rosario, and Globalport’s Terrence Romeo.

PBA board chairman Robert Non stressed the release of all these players have the approval of the team owners.

Tasked to ensure the participation of the players is a special committee composed of commissioner Chito Narvasa, Ginebra’s Alfrancis Chua, Talk n Text’s Patrick Gregorio and Rain or Shine’s Mert Mondragon.