IT’S the choice of UAAP schools whether to lend their players to Gilas Pilipinas in its title defense in the basketball tourney of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand later this year.
This, according to UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, who insisted that while the league will surely throw its support to the Philippine five’s bid in the biennial meet, the decision remains with the schools.
“I don’t think it’s really (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial’s concern, any question about the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas,” Saguisag said. “Iyong SBP, it’s only one sport, basketball. SEA Games is a multi-sport.
“I think iyong SBP, before pa ito ha, they also understand that they have to support also the schedules of our local leagues,” he added.
The SEA Games set for Dec. 9 to 20 will run smack with the PBA’s season-opening Philippine Cup and the overseas leagues, national teams—counting the men’s and women’s cage crews—are likely to field a roster composed mostly of UAAP and NCAA standouts.
For now, that decision will be made by the players’ respective schools, especially with the UAAP men’s and women’s basketball tilts expected to coincide with the Thai Games.
One good thing going is the fact that the UAAP and the SBP, through its executive director Erika Dy, are in constant communication.
“Kapag pinatay mo naman din iyan, mawawalan din sila ng pool from where to draw from,” Saguisag said. “No commitment yet, pinag-aaralang mabuti kung ano iyong ikabubuti.
“For now, yes (description is on the schools). Ang maganda dito, Erika Dy is a very good friend and we have constant communication. But they understand our predicament. Erika Dy also came from the UAAP and understands that the grassroots program also needs to be supported.”
