MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will hold a summit in the months to come to strengthen the preparations of the Smart–Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA-Asia Championship next year, the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics. SBP executive director Noli Eala revealed the plan on Tuesday in the PSA Forum, saying he has already communicated with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud about the meet.
“We’re planning of a summit with the PBA that will discuss how we can strengthen the national team,” Eala said at the Forum held at the Shakey's Restaurant in U.N. Avenue in Manila. “Lahat tayo ang gusto is manalo sa FIBA-Asia.”
The professional league has agreed to loan three players – Asi Taulava, Sol Mercado and Kelly Williams – to the national team in the previous Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
The Nationals, however, fell short landing a medal and slipped to sixth – its worst finish in recent years.
Smart-Gilas Serbian coach Rajko Toroman is hopeful Marcus Douthit’s papers for naturalization can be settled as soon as possible so he can join the team in the FIBA tourney.
Waylon Glavez, Philippine Star
