SBP drafts recruitment program for Fil-foreign prospects

MANILA, Philippines -- In the wake of the families of Fil-foreign kids coming forward to express their intention to join the Batang Gilas, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is in the process of drafting a concrete recruitment program.

After Philstar.com ran the stories of 14-year old Fil-Australian Ethan Kirkness and 15-year old Fil-Nigerian AJ Edu, the Batang Gilas manager Andrew Teh bared on Wednesday that the program should be put in place by January next year which they can present to the family of potential recruits.

READ: Fil-Nigerian Batang Gilas prospect AJ Edu waiting for SBP call

"The Batang Gilas program under SBP is already in the process of drafting the guidelines as to on how are we going to recruit Fil-foreigners under the program," Teh told Philstar.com.

"We want something long term. Kaya kailangang pag-aralan maigi yung proceso ng pag-recruit," he added.

The SBP's vision according to Teh is to have these Batang Gilas recruits from overseas eventually play for the men's team in the future.  A lot of factors which include homesickness and the possible conflicts with their schools' commitment abroad have been put into consideration in drafting the program.

Maybe in 2017, puwede na natin isalang si Kirkness. Edu is only 15, he's turning 16 next January so puwede na siya sa 2018 for U18," Teh said.

The SBP official is asking the potential recruits' families to be patient as they carefully draft the program.

READ: Giant Fil-Aussie kid applies for PH passport, dreams of Gilas stint

One possible approach they are looking at to make it a win-win situation for both the basketball federation and the Fil-foreign recruits is to provide them training allowance abroad and monitor their progress then recall them one month before a SEABA tournament and two months before the FIBA Asia Championship.