SBP to finalize Gilas 12 in time for PBA Draft

MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio speaks during a press conference at Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Cubao. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is set to identify the 12 amateurs, who will be included in the Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 pool on Wednesday.

SBP president Al Panlilio said the federation is putting all the work in picking the players who will comprise the national team that will represent the country in the Fiba competitions in the coming years.

“Our next move is to identify the Gilas cadets. We’ll finalize the names for the final 12,” he said.

Panlilio and the SBP are closely working with the PBA as they try to find a common ground with the deadline for 2016 PBA Rookie Draft applicants also set on Wednesday.

He shared as of now, the idea is that some of the amateurs included in the list can progress to the PBA, but the SBP can pull the players out if the national team needs their services.

The new Fiba competition calendar has set four competition windows scattered throughout the year, with national teams playing in home-and-away format.

“We’re still talking. Meron ng framework, but I think the agreement with the PBA is although they’re Gilas players, the SBP is willing to lend them to the PBA. Kung kailangan na i-train yung players, I think they should allow the SBP to pull them out,” he said.

“Those are the details that needs to be discussed, kung anong klaseng kontrata yun, if it’s with the PBA or the SBP, or a combined contract. Those are the things we need to talk about.”

Panlilio, who also serves as governor for Meralco in the PBA, said they are looking for a compromise which will appease to both parties. He is set to meet SBP executive director Sonny Barrios on Monday, while the SBP is scheduled to meet the PBA to iron things out on Wednesday.

“It’s a very good collaborative agreement that we’re working with. It’s just a matter of how we’ll document that,” he said.

“Legally, how do we impose those conditions? Yun ang issues and documentations that we have to get in place. In principle, it has been agreed. Kailangan na lang ilagay sa papel kung ano ang gagawin.”