Goma to SBP: Please reconsider pullout

Richard Gomez, chef de mission of Team Philippines in the JakartaPalembang Asian Games, is hoping the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) would reconsider its decision to withdraw from the continental meet due to the absence of a competitive team.

Gomez said that as CDM, part of his task is to send formal communication to the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee of any cancelation and so far, he has not sent any.

The announcement of the SBP’s decision to cancel its Asian Games participation, according to Gomez, was only announced in the media through a statement sent via email last July 24.

“It’s sad for Philippine basketball, and for the fans that we’re not sending our national team,” said Gomez, mayor of Ormoc City and head of the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA), in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the athletes’ lounge of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

“We have so many talented players, and professional players. There is still a chance… I’m still hoping that we can send team,” said Gomez, adding that he is set to meet with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas and hopefully discuss the basketball issue.

According to Gomez, when he took over as CDM several weeks back, there was actually no basketball team in the Asian Games lineup.

Gomez said he mentioned this to Vargas and SBP – led by its president Al Panlilio – decided to send TNT KaTropa, one of three PBA teams owned by SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan.

The statement of Gomez validated the declaration last week of PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, who said Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes chose the FIBA World Cup qualifiers for Asia instead of the Asian Games since the PBA can only lend players for one tournament to avoid severe scheduling problems.

Gomez said SBP eventually submitted names from TNT KaTropa before the fight-marred World Cup qualifier between the Philippines and Australia last month scuttled all plans after the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) handed down heavy fines and suspensions.

Gomez said that it doesn’t matter if it’s a choice between the Asian Games or the World Cup qualifiers. The important thing, he said, is for a Filipino basketball team to play in any international sports event.

“It’s like an unspoken commitment,” said Gomez.

“We have plenty of professional players, and all year long they are in their best condition. And if we’re gunning for the World Cup, let’s win the gold first in the Asian Games. Let’s pick the smaller apples first before we go for the bigger (apples),” added Gomez.

The last time the country won a gold medal in the Asian Games was during the 1964 meet in Jakarta, ironically the same Asiad site this year.