Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The Philippine national men’s basketball has had its time being called Gilas Pilipinas and veteran center believes it’s due for a change.
Taulava said the national team should be called simply “Team Pilipinas” to usher in a new era under head coach Yeng Guiao.
“This is coach Yeng’s time, you know Gilas that’s in the past, it’s time to change the image of Philippine basketball,” said Taulava Thursday after the team’s practice at Meralco Gym. “Under coach, Yeng we want to known as Team Pilipinas.”
“We want to go away with those moniker names and something like that.”
Taulava, who at 45 is still willing to go through the grin of national team duty, said that majority of the players came on board because of Guiao.
“Everybody that came into this group, it’s because coach Yeng asked,” said Taulava, who had his first international tour of duty in 2002. “Coach Yeng wants to do something special, we want to help him and do whatever we can to qualify for the next round.”
Gilas Pilipinas practices used to be riddled with absences leading up to important tournaments, which is a contrast to what Guiao has done in the short time since he resumed as head coach.
“As you can see, this is another complete attendance for the third day and last time I saw this was in 2002 when all the players that were asked for were here,” said Taulava. “It’s been so long but this is great for Philippine basketball.”
Taulava added that Guiao possessed the quality of uniting the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the Philippines’ national sports association for the sport of basketball.
“One man can unite all the big bodies in the PBA, its board, and the SBP and that’s coach Yeng,” said Taulava.