More pros to be invited to join Gilas in 2011 camp

Expect more Philippine Basketball Association players joining the Smart Gilas national developmental team’s training camp in 2011. “We will open our doors to professional players to join the Smart Gilas squad preparing for the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship," said Allan Gregorio, the team’s assistant coach. The FIBA Asia Championship to be held next year in China is the qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics . The Smart Gilas squad coached by Rajko Toroman and beefed up by three PBA players — Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and Sol Mercado — had a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Guangzhou Asian Games last month. Informed that the Smart Gilas team is opening its doors for more PBA players, Commissioner Chito Salud said he doesn’t want to make speculations at this time, but rather wait for the SBP’s official stand. “I don’t want to preempt SBP," Salud told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview. “All I know is that the SBP will make a presentation in our meeting on Jan. 25. But I expect a very fruitful meeting with the team owners, board governors, and the people from the SBP." The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, through Talk N Text governor and SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, will make a presentation to the PBA board on Jan. 25, 2011. The presentation regarding the composition of the national team will be conducted in front of PBA team owners Manny V. Pangilinan of PLDT and Meralco, Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of Alaska, Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation, Raymond Yu and Terry Que of Rain or Shine, George Chua of Barako Bull, and JB Baylon, representing Coca-Cola. How many players will be requested by the SBP from the PBA and the extent of the league’s involvement in the national team program are the important things to be discussed. “I am very pleased with the response I’m getting from the team owners. I have talked to all of them, except Mr. Uytengsu, who is out of the country at this time. But I talked to him several months back and he assured me that if there will be a meeting with the team owners, he will commit his attendance," added Salud. Salud said the meeting would also be a step towards bringing the PBA to a higher level and making the league more attractive to a younger fan base. Aside from the PBA’s involvement with the national team in future international tournaments, also up for discussion is the pro league’s plan to build a multi-billion coliseum as well as to manage its own television coverage. A new TV partner is expected to be named by the PBA, as SolarTV confirmed it will no longer renew its contract with the league as its coveror. SolarTV’s contract ends in August next year. - JVP, KY, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV