PBA to decide Gilas fate

PBA Board of Governors and PBA officials. PBA IMAGES

Days before the PBA ushers in the 41st season, the league’s board of governors hopes to finalize the league’s role in Gilas Pilipinas’ buildup for the Olympic qualifier.

“The league will come out with a clear-cut and unambiguous position on this,” said PBA president and chief executive officer Chito Salud.

Officials from the 12 ballclubs are to meet today in a special meeting to discuss the league’s stand, before the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas confirms its participation in the wild-card qualifier.

The SBP has only until Sunday to confirm Gilas’ participation in the qualifier for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

“There will be just one topic [during the meeting]—Gilas,” said Salud.

The pro league drew flak when the SBP failed to get the players it wanted for recent tournaments, including the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship in Changsha City in China, where Gilas wound up runner-up to the hosts.

The formation of a national team is the SBP’s inherent responsibility, not the PBA’s.

After settling the controversial issue, the PBA will focus on the season opener on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“The pressure is on us because we won two championships last season,” San Miguel Beer governor Robert Non, who will serve as this season’s chair, said in a press conference Tuesday at Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Rain or Shine and Star kick off the action at 5:15 p.m., following the 3 p.m. opening ceremony.

“San Miguel and Talk ’N Text remain as the teams to beat,” said Star governor Rene Pardo.

Salud and new commissioner Chito Narvasa also guaranteed “a new and fresh PBA.”

“The PBA needs to expand its fan base,” said Narvasa, who noted that a women’s 3×3 competition in between games will be among the innovations in place this season.