Failure to form competitive Gilas team led to SBP Asiad pullout, says Guiao

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas pulled the rug from under the Philippine basketball community when it decided to withdraw from the 2018 Asian Games a few minutes before the stroke of midnight.

SBP said it would focus on trying to recover the national team’s image after the brawl against Australia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifier led to suspensions of 10 players and two coaches and whopping fines for the organization.

Yeng Guiao, the chosen head coach for the Asian Games, however, has another reason why the SBP decided against sending a Philippine team to the continental sporting event.

READ: SBP makes U-turn, withdraws from Asian Games

Guiao said he and SBP were struggling to form a competitive roster for the Asian Games and this was one of the factors why the governing basketball body withdrew from Jakarta.

“If we can’t form a competitive team, why must we embarrass ourselves if we will go unprepared and not equipped,” said Guiao late Thursday in a phone conversation.

“I want to bring a team that can compete and we can be proud of. In the process of completing the lineup, there were doubts on whether we can really compete with the players we requested.”

READ: ‘Miracles can happen’ with Guiao as Asian Games coach

Guiao added that their request for players “from other teams was denied” but did not elaborate.

Guiao’s roster for the national team was supposed to be composed of Rain or Shine’s core, three players from NLEX and Gilas Cadets Abu Tratter, Ricci Rivero, and Kobe Paras.

While trying to complete his roster for Jakarta, Guiao said other teams like Iran will send its senior team to the Asian Games.

READ: Clarkson, Standhardinger in Asiad lineup unlikely 

SBP’s decision was first relayed to Rain or Shine owner Raymond Yu and to Elasto Painters head coach Caloy Garcia.

Guiao said Rain or Shine accepted the decision after SBP president Al Panlilio explained what happened.

“I told Rain or Shine that the country itself should thank them for their service because they went beyond their call of duty,” said Guiao.