PBA teams still mum on lending players to Gilas

Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player (MVP) Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia, former rookie of the year Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and ex-national team standout Jared Dillinger of Talk ‘N Text on Smart Gilas team? Their inclusion remains up for discussion by the PBA board of governors and their respective mother ballclubs. This was confirmed by PBA vice chairman and Purfoods board governor Rene Pardo to GMANews.TV. “We haven’t discussed anything yet on the table," Pardo said. “It all depends on the team but it will be a big risk for the team’s because the period of time in between breaks in the PBA is very short and players will be needed right away by their mother teams." Smart Gilas Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, who steered the RP development national team to a third place finish in the 21st Dubai International basketball tournament, has mulled over the possibility of tapping several pro players in the Olympic-qualifying tournament. Pardo sees no problem with lending several players from the pro league but expressed apprehensions for their respective mother teams. “What if the said player got injured? The team that hired them would be on the losing end since they are no longer able to perform," added Pardo. Of the three players, Dillinger appears as the likely to be given the go signal to play since the Tropang Texters is owned by businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan. Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu said they would follow whatever the PBA board decides on. “Whatever the PBA tells us, then we will follow." – GMANews.TV