WHO will the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas tap as a naturalized player for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup next year?
The SBP and national coach Chot Reyes are working hard to find the answer to that question.
“That’s on the table, that aspect of the preparation for the composition of the national team,” SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said in the recent online Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.
“Having a naturalized player is also on the table and is also on the radar ni coach Chot (Reyes), iyong issue ng naturalized player, kung sino, at anong klase,” he added.
Currently, Gilas has one naturalized player in Ateneo center Ange Kouame, while PBA resident import Justin Brownlee of Ginebra and former San Miguel Beer reinforcement Chris McCullough have been considered by the cage body for naturalization in the past.
Barrios maintained getting a big man is still the priority for Gilas, while adding NBA player Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz could see action but he will be considered as a naturalized player instead of a local by the FIBA.
“We are not looking for point guards. Iyong process of elimination, nandoon tayo sa the bigger the better unless mayroon tayong option na hindi kalakihan pero the talent, skill is what the team needs,” Barrios said in the public sports program.
“That’s also on the table. Iyong kay Jordan Clarkson is on the table. Kasama iyan sa pinag-uusapan, sa preparation for the most competitive team that we can have.”
The Filipino cagers buckled down to work in the lead-up to the World Cup qualifiers in New Zealand and Manila, and later in the Asia Cup in Indonesia.
Nenad Vucinic will call the shots for Gilas for the World Cup qualifiers, before Reyes takes over at the helm anew for the Asia Cup Championship, an arrangement which Barrios said has been approved even before the SEA Games.
