THE ball is now on the PBA players’ court, literally and figuratively.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes turned in his 15-man line-up for the 31st Southeast Asian Games to pro league Commissioner Willie Marcial last Wednesday.
Although Marcial has yet to name the players tapped by Reyes, the deadline for the submission of entries by names set by the SEA Games organizers will be tomorrow.
The amiable PBA chief said he will ask for the players’ availability for the cage tilt where the Filipino cagers remain as overwhelming favorites.
“Nag-meeting kami ngayon. Nagbigay siya (Reyes) ng mga pangalan. Kailangan makausap ko muna iyong mga (Board of) governors, at makausap ko agad iyong mga players kung okay sila doon sa schedule,” Marcial was quoted as saying in the PBA website after he met with Reyes following TNT’s match against Terrafirma.
“Para kung hindi sila (players) libre, may commitment sila, mapapalitan kaagad namin,” he added.
Choosing collegiate standouts to suit up for the Nationals is unlikely since the 97th NCAA and 84th UAAP cage wars are set to kick off this month and will run up to May.
Reyes originally submitted a 30-man wish list, a combination of PBA players and Gilas mainstays, to the pro league last week.
Marcial maintained that foremost among the consideration for inclusion in the Philippine five is availability since the Games will take place during the PBA’s offseason.
“Ang concern natin iyong mga players,” Marcial said. “Hindi natin alam, baka mamaya doon sa time na iyon may commitment sila or sabihin nila ‘Com gusto kong mag-pahinga or Com, mayroon akong injury.’”
With Ginebra tactician Tim Cone calling the shots, an all-pro Gilas side went untouchable and bagged the gold in 30th Southeast Asian Games for the 13th straight time and 18th overall at home soil in December 2019.
Aside from the SEA Games, Gilas is also set to do battle in the third window of the World Cup qualifiers from June 27 to July 5; the fourth window from August 22 to 30; the fifth window from November 7 to 15; and the sixth window from February 20 to 28, 2023.
As one of the hosts along with Japan and Indonesia, the Philippines already has a slot in the World Cup next year.
