Bigger PBA role eyed for second Smart Gilas PH team

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Basketball Association will be an integral part of the next Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas operations manager Butch Antonio Wednesday said the coaching staff headed by newly minted national mentor Chot Reyes will sit down soon with PBA commissioner Chito Salud to determine the extent of the pro league’s involvement with the PH five.

PBA chair Mamerto Mondragon has committed to form a 16-man pool from the league to strengthen the Smart Gilas program in its campaign to secure a slot in the 2014 Fiba World Championship in Spain.

“Hopefully we could meet up with commissioner Salud right after their Dubai trip to get a clearer picture of how the PBA will come in to help the cause,” said Antonio.

Rain Or Shine collides with Barako Bull today in Dubai before taking on Barangay Ginebra tomorrow before an expected sellout crowd of OFWs at the Al Shabab Club.

Antonio said Reyes, on his second tour of duty with the Nationals, will form the core of his coaching staff prior to the selection of Smart Gilas players.

Several players from the collegiate ranks, which Antonio referred to as the “cadet group,” will join the PBA stars in the pool for the Smart Gilas 2 members.

“It’s more exciting now because more groups and bodies are participating,” said Antonio.

Smart Gilas 1, beefed up by three PBA players and a naturalized center Marcus Douthit, placed fourth last year in the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, and missed the chance to qualify to the London Olympics this year.

Antonio said that the cadet group would come from Sinag Pilipinas, a bunch of college players who brought home the gold medal in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

A number of former Gilas players would also be asked to rejoin the PH five in preparation for the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship where three continental slots to the world championship are at stake.

“Unlike last year when we still had to approach the PBA and asked for some of their players, this time, they’re the ones offering help and were very thankful for the gesture,” said Antonio.

Reyes, whose team of PBA stars finished ninth in the 2007 Fiba Asia Championship, will get valuable inputs from some of the best coaching minds in the pro league and amateur ranks—Meralco’s Ryan Gregorio, Meralco consultant Jong Uichico and Ateneo’s Norman Black.