Barako Bull willing to lend franchise to Gilas for PBA’s 2nd conference

Smart Gilas in lieu of Barako Bull in the Philippine Basketball Association second conference? This may become a reality once the PBA board of governors approves the request of the Energy Boosters in temporarily giving up their spot for the national team in the import-flavored second conference next month. Barako Bull team owner George Chua confirmed to GMANews.TV that he wrote PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud of their willingness to give up their spot for the national team in the second conference.

“We were copy-furnished by the PBA regarding the intention of Smart Gilas to join the PBA in the second conference, so I wrote back our good commissioner and told him that we’re willing to give up our spot for them, but promised that we will be back for the third conference," said Chua in a telephone interview. Smart Gilas is preparing for the Olympic qualifying FIBA Asia Championship in August. “Alam naman natin yung nangyari sa kanila sa Asian Games, medyo hindi maganda yung performance, that’s why gustong-gusto nilang gamitin ‘yung second conference as part of their training. Tamang-tama rin naman sa kanila yun, sa tingin ko, dahil may mga import na kasali. So, we have decided to give up our spot for Smart Gilas in the second conference and help them in our own little way," added Chua. Barako Bull board governor Raffy Casiao believes giving way would be a logical thing to do to help both Smart Gilas and the PBA’s calendar for the 36th season. “Smart Gilas is really determined to play in the PBA next conference, and since the PBA Commissioner’s Office’s concern is the disruption of scheduling once the team comes in, then we made a proposal to the commissioner that we are willing to give way for Smart Gilas. In that way, we will still have a 10-team field," said Casiao. “But I would like to make it clear that Barako Bull is not taking a leave of absence because realistically, there’s no such thing as a leave of absence from the PBA," added Casiao. Chua added that they have not discussed yet with Smart Gilas management the arrangement of whether Barako Bull’s name will be retained or the team’s logo will be put on the jersey, as they still await the decision of the board. “Before kasi, we were approved by the board when we co-branded with Harbour Centre," said Chua, whose group entered in such an agreement with the Mikee Romero-owned squad. “But we have yet to talk about this with Smart Gilas management, because our request is still up for approval." Salud said in a text message that he has received both letters from Smart Gilas and Barako Bull, but decided to elevate the case to the board. “Yes, I have received their letters and referred them to the board for clearance," said Salud. According to Salud, the request will be evaluated carefully by the board. He hopes the board comes up with a decision during the team owners' meeting at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel on Tuesday, Jan. 25. “I hope there will be a decision at that time," said Salud. Salud added that Chua also mentioned to him that once their request is approved, it will give Barako Bull time to revamp and rebuild for the season-ending conference. Chua also explained that if the request is approved, Barako Bull players who have live contracts will continue to receive their salaries. “I think after this conference (Philippine Cup), we will still have around six or seven players with live contracts. We will still honor our obligations to them." The team owner has also talked to Junel Baculi, the Energy Boosters’ head coach, and informed him of their intention for the second conference. “I’m very thankful that he’s (Junel) very professional," said Chua. Should the PBA board turn down their request, Casiao said the Energy Boosters will continue competing in the second conference. Not the first time Playing as a guest squad in the PBA isn’t the first time for Smart Gilas. Nearly two years ago, the national developmental squad was accommodated as a guest team in the pro league with all of their games as well as those of their opponents’ considered as no-bearing matches. The Philippine team-Northern Consolidated Cement (NCC) beefed up by naturalized players Chip Engelland, Jeff Moore and Dennis Still and bannered by several amateur standouts such as Allan Caidic, Hector Calma and Samboy Lim, among others, became the first guest squad to win a PBA title in 1985, sweeping Manila Beer, 4-0, in the best-of-seven series in the import-flavored conference. It was on that same year that the Philippines won the last Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) crown as well as the prestigious William Jones Cup title. The ABC is now known as the FIBA Asia Championship. Several other Philippine basketball squads, mostly composed of amateur players, have competed as guest squads in the PBA, but that was during a time when the league had a total of only six competing squads. -- KY, OMG, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV