Source : Alfonso Ramirez, InterAKTVDUBAI — PBA commissioner Chito Salud on Thursday said that he is looking forward to meeting with newly-designated SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team coach Chot Reyes, as well as officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, to find out what their plans are for the formation and development of the men’s basketball team that will compete in next year’s qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Championships.
“The PBA board will have to decide on that, but first I have to see what their plans are,” Salud told interAKTV after wrapping up this year’s Dubai leg of the Commissioner’s Cup.
The commissioner, who led the PBA delegation that mounted a two-game, three-team regular season tour in this Persian Gulf city, will be flying back to Manila through Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Salud said he will have to evaluate what the SMART-Gilas program needs before making a firm commitment on how the professional league will support the national team that will see action in next year’s FIBA Asia tournament.
“Titingnan muna natin. Ano bang kailangan nila? Kailangan ba nila ng forward, ng center? Sino bang gusto nilang kunin? Those things, we’ll have to determine before we decide,” he said.
Before the start of the 37th season, the PBA said they are willing to lend players to the national pool, from which the new coach can select players for the new incarnation of SMART-Gilas.
Last year, the pro league lended Asi Taulava, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag to reinforce the original SMART-Gilas squad coached by Rajko Toroman.
The nationals managed to reach the semifinals, but failed to qualify for next year’s London Olympics.
Earlier, Reyes reportedly sent word that he intends to have multi-titled B-MEG Llamados coach Tim Cone to join his coaching staff together with Meralco consultant Jong Uichico, but a member of the PBA delegation dismissed the possibility.
“Mahirap mangyari ‘yon. I doubt if that will ever happen,” the source said
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