THIS early, Gilas Pilipinas is fast proving it has what it takes. So why not continue fielding an all-amateur squad until the 2023 FIBA World Cup the country is co-hosting?
This was position taken by PBA great and PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, who said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas should keep on sending amateurs to international tilts.
“Palagay ko itong mga bata na ang ipadala natin, not for anything else but this is thinking long term,” Fernandez said last Tuesday in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
“Iyong mga bata natin kapag i-expose natin sa ganoong level ng competition, siguradong mag-i-improve iyan,” he added.
The nationals proved untouchable in the Clark qualifiers recently, finishing with a 6-0 record in Group A and clinching a slot in the Asia Cup in August in Indonesia.
After dueling with China in a tune-up match yesterday, the Filipinos leave today for Belgrade, Serbia for the Olympic qualifying tournament where they will be ranged against world-ranked Serbia and the Dominican Republic.
While pro league players could still be tapped, going with the young guns makes a big difference, according to Fernandez.
“Iyong mga PBA players naman, mag-i-improve din sana sila, but hindi kagaya ng improvement ng mga kabataang ito,” Fernandez said in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
“Medyo may na katigasan ang buto at muscles ng PBA players natin,” he added.
The four-time pro league MVP and one of its 40 Greatest Players also said the SBP should learn from lessons in the past.
“We know for a fact, and we experienced already, na mahirap kumuha ng athletes from the pro ranks to play in the national team. That’s why lagi kong sinasabi noon, kaya nga nag-umpisa iyong PBA because noong panahon namin, kinukuha kami ng basketball federation at that time (BAP) from our mother teams,” Fernandez said.
“So, nadi-distract iyong calendar ng MICAA (Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association) at the time. History will repeat itself. It seems we never learned from history. Iyong ang naging problema.”
