A SHOT IN THE ARM FOR GILAS
The Philippine Basketball Association yet again extended a helping hand to the national team.
The PBA board of governors acceded to Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes’ request for the league to revise the schedule of its current season so as to give the Nationals added window time to prepare for the 2014 World Cup in Spain slated Aug. 30-Sept. 14.
The board passed a resolution that’s also delaying the opening of the 2014-15 season to accommodate the Nationals’ stint in the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea in late September.
“The board reiterated their full support to the Gilas program and they have very generously cut back the schedule by one month,” said Reyes.
“They also assured me that if there are other additional players that I would request, they would take it to their respective owners and that they can be considered to be part of the pool for the Gilas team,” Reyes also said.
“The PBA, the team owners and the governors have agreed to compress the current season shortening it from the original Aug. 13 finish to as early as July 15,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.
“How do we do that? We’re going to make the second and third conference finals both best-of-five instead of best-of-seven. We’re also shortening the in-between conferences break,” Salud also said.
The PBA board also approved Reyes’ plan to start their Monday practices by March.
Under the old schedule, the Nationals would’ve had only two weeks of preparation for the Spain joust.
Salud said the PBA approved the releasing of more players to the Gilas pool, if requested by the national coach.
Reyes, however, said he would discuss this to his coaching staff first.
“We’re always open to this. We’re keeping an open mind. But of course the old players would have the advantage,” Reyes pointed out.
Reyes said they would make the decision upon his return from Spain where he’s to attend the World Cup draw on Feb. 3.
The team has until June 30 to name a 24-man roster in the initial submission of lineup. The final 12 will come from this. (SB)
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