PBA revises Gilas program

The elite team of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas program will be composed from a revised PBA pool of 20 players for two international tournaments next year.
PBA commissioner Chito Salud said that he had met with SMART-Gilas coach Chot Reyes, who suggested the revision in the team’s preparation for next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
According to Salud, SMART-Gilas will participate in the Dubai International Invitational from January 10 to 19 and the King’s Cup in Hong Kong from January 22 to 27.
SMART-Gilas, under coach Rajko Toroman, finished third in the Dubai tournament in 2010 and runner-up last year.
“The conditions were also clear that there will be no disruption on the schedule of the PBA and all players will play in the PBA and walang maga-absent because of the national team,” said Salud.
Even though the two tournaments were not part of the original agreement between the league and the national program, the PBA still chose to accomodate SMART-Gilas.
“That was not included in the proposal, but we’re bending backwards and since the PBA will be on a break from January 23 to February 8, that’s a go,” said Salud.
“Chot understands that he cannot use these players as long as they’re playing in the PBA. Those players who will not be able the tournament are probably the teams that are playing in the playoff.”
Reyes also asked Salud to schedule regular Monday practice for the members of the pool, to be held at the Philsports Arena, with more training sessions to be held as the tournaments near.