Source: Philippine Star
Affirmed by the Swiss-based Commissioner for Sports Arbitration as the legitimate national cage body in the Philippines, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is now focusing on its goal to regain the country’s old status as kingpin in Asia.
SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan said their initial target is at least a semifinal finish in the Guangzhou Asian Games in November then to make the grade in the Asian Olympic qualifying tourney in Turkey next year.
With a united Philippine basketball, Pangilinan said he may even make a bid at becoming the president of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) now headed by Indonesia business mogul Eric Thoehir.
“There’s a SEABA congress in Bali (Indonesia) next week. We see how it goes. We are pre-eminent in Southeast Asian basketball, so why not take a prominent role. Hopefully, pagbigyan tayo,” said Pangilinan during the Scoop sa Kamayan session yesterday.
Pangilinan said they’re now focusing on their goals after SBP gained affirmation as CAS last week (La Commission Beige d’ Arbitrage pour le Sport) trashed a case raised by the Basketball Association of the Philippines.
The International Basketball Federation had earlier given its nod on the SBP.
Pangilinan said their main focus is on the Smart Gilas team.
“We’re looking at a semifinal finish or higher in Guangzhou, then we’ll take it from there,” said Pangilinan.
The team will resume its Asian buildup next week as it leaves for Las Vegas on April 23 for a nine-day training camp before flying to Canada
for a series of exhibition games.
While there, Toroman will take a look at Chris Lutz and three other Fil-Am hopefuls while team manager Frankie Lim pursues a deal with their naturalization prospects.
“Hopefully, everything will be put to bed soon,” said Pangilinan.
Meanwhile, the injury-hit Smart Gilas team, meanwhile, has been recovering steadily with Rabeh Al-Hussaini, a two-time UAAP MVP who led Ateneo to back-to-back titles, has re-joined the team in practice after undergoing an operation to remove bone spurs in his left foot.
Rey Guevarra, on the other hand, is close to full recovery from MCL and ACL injuries he sustained while playing for Letran in the NCAA last season.
Point guard JV Casio, however, will be out for four weeks due to a swollen right leg. – With Koji Lorenzo Echeminada and Kristina Noelle Villanueva
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