By Jerome Lagunzad
If he could have his way, PBA officer-in-charge Willie Marcial wants all pro league teams to throw their full support to the Gilas Pilipinas program by making all their players available to national coach Chot Reyes.
PBA Officer In Charge Willie Marcial, center, addresses a question during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Tapa King-Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
Under the current agreement between the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, each ballcub is mandated to lend one veteran and one cadet member to the national team.
This time, Marcial, 56, is hoping that setup will be modified in time for next year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
“Wishful thinking ko lang naman ‘to pero sana pumayag na ‘yung lahat ng teams na wala ng limit-limit sa mga players (for the national team),” Marcial said yesterday at the resumption of the PSA Forum at the Tapa King branch Araneta Center, Quezon City.
“Sa current setup kasi, one cadet and one pro lang. Sana mawala na ‘yun. Kung ilan ang kailangan (ng Gilas), sana pumayag na ‘yung mga teams. Malaking bagay rin kasi ‘yun sa national team. At kami naman, sa PBA, todo suporta sa national team.”
Under the Marcial Plan, Gilas would have a bigger and deeper training pool to choose from with the likes of Magnolia’s Paul Lee, San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Greg Slaughter available.