Pro league execs: Smart Gilas doesn’t need PBA reinforcement

Smart Gilas Pilipinas, a team which held its own against the powerhouse squads in the Asian region, doesn’t need reinforcement from the Philippine Basketball Association, according to top executives of the pro league.

PBA chairman Lito Alvarez assessed that the RP development team is just “one dominant big man away" from fulfilling its goal of making the London Olympics.

“What they need is just an American big man who can patrol the shaded lane and they’re ready to go," Alvarez told GMANews.TV. “Hindi na nila kakailanganin ang PBA players because the system is already in place."

Smart Gilas is currently shopping around for an American center to naturalize after parting ways with first prospects CJ Giles and Jamaal Sampson.

PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios practically shared the same view as Alvarez, adding the possibility of disrupting the Gilas players’ chemistry with the infusion of a pro cager.

“Baka naman kasi kapag kumuha pa sila sa amin, eh imbes na makabuti, mapasama pa," said Barrios. “Kasi nga naman, their players have already sacrificed a lot tapos kung kukuha pa sila sa amin, baka sumama pa loob nila, notwithstanding the fact na baka makaapekto sa team chemistry nila."

Prior to the team's campaign in the Middle East, Smart-Gilas coach Rajko Toroman expressed his intentions to tap the likes of Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia, Jared Dillinger of Talk 'N Text and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine as possible reinforcement for his young troop.

But Barrios thinks that Smart-Gilas’ strong third-place finish in the Dubai International basketball tournament could be the determining factor as to how the team’s program will go.

“It might also leave a bad impression to their players na nagsasakripisyo na nang matagal if ever they will include PBA players. Maybe yung request nila asking the PBA to beef up their squad was a few months ago, noong hindi pa sila sumasabak sa tournament sa Middle East. I think yung line of thinking nila is iba na at this time," Barrios said.

For Alvarez, he doesn’t believe that Smart Gilas is seriously asking for reinforcement, especially when the pro league has yet to receive a formal request from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. The PBA is a stakeholder in the SBP.

“I’d like to believe na publicity lang yun because the SBP has not furnished us a request. If ever they’re serious about it, then they should formalize their request," Alvarez said.

Source: Author Unknown  | GMANews.TV