MANILA, Philippines — Allyn Bulanadi and Mike Nieto will remain with the Gilas Pilipinas program at least for another year.
Bulanadi and Nieto announced on their social media accounts that they will continue to be part of the Philippine team after being selected in the special draft in 2019.
“Ever since I started playing basketball, it has always been my dream to be given the chance to represent my country. But because of an unexpected injury, I wasn’t able to realize that dream last year,” Bulanadi wrote.
“So here I am, grateful for the trust and opportunity given to me by SBP to fulfill that lifelong dream and once and for all finish this unsettled business. I promise to work harder to make you all proud and not waste this precious opportunity of a lifetime,” he added.
The former San Sebastian Stag missed the chance to play for Gilas in the November window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers due to a shoulder injury.
Nieto, meanwhile, suited up for Gilas in the first of two games against Thailand in November in Manama, Bahrain. He scored eight points in a 93-61 win.
The Philippines was originally scheduled to host the third and final window of the qualifiers next month before the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was forced to beg off due to the travel ban brought about by the new COVID-19 variant.