PBA adopts Chot’s proposal

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has approved allowing the inclusion of several TNT Tropang Giga players to represent the country in the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers later this February.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said the board of governors unanimously agreed to approve Gilas Pilipinas and Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes’ proposal of fielding several TNT players for the first window of the qualifiers from February 24 to 28.

Vargas said the league is willing to adjust the Tropang Giga’s schedule in the Governors’ Cup to give way for their preparations with the national team.

The reinforced conference resumes February 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“The PBA once again will adjust its schedule to allow some players from TNT to play with Gilas, not only during the window, but also during the practice,” Vargas said.

The Tropang Giga already started their bubble training at the Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City in Batangas following the government’s downgrade to Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila and fringe provinces.

Also joining the Malarayat bubble are national team standouts like Angelo Kouame, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Dwight Ramos, Will Navarro, Jaydee Tungcab and Tzaddy Rangel.

Joining Reyes in the coaching staff are Gilas assistant coach Jong Uichico and Serbian tactician Nenad Vucinic.

Panlilio welcomed the PBA’s decision as the league’s support will help Gilas produce the best squad despite the exodus of other Gilas players abroad.

“It cannot be SBP alone, you have to have partnerships with entities like PBA to make it happen. We would like to thank the PBA and the board for always being there,” Panlilio said.

“We’re looking for the best talents in the country and pushing for that program. In the end, it’s really for the sake of the national team.”