Isaac Go, along with four other Gilas Pilipinas players, chose not to renew their contract with national team. FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said on Thursday that the released Gilas Pilipinas players can already suit up when the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup resumes on February 11.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas released Isaac Go, Allyn Bulanadi, Mike Nieto, Matt Nieto, and Rey Suerte after the quintet decided to not renew their contracts with the national team on January 31.
“They can play immediately as long as they’ve signed their contracts with their mother clubs,” said Marcial in Filipino.
Marcial added that the teams have yet to report if the players are signed and the matter will be discussed on Friday.
“They haven’t reported if the players are signed or not, we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
The Gilas players were drafted into the PBA in 2019 via special selection with Terrafirma taking Go, Blackwater picking up Suerte, NLEX choosing Matt, Alaska selecting Bulanadi, and Rain or Shine going for Mike.
News of the players’ departure from the Gilas system came a day after the SBP announced the return of Chot Reyes as the team’s head coach.