PBA adjusts schedule for Gilas Pilipinas

SHOWING its full support for Gilas Pilipinas once again, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has adjusted its calendar beginning with the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup Finals series between Magnolia and San Miguel Beer, which started on Friday, February 2.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the import-spiced conference’s best-of-seven championship series was originally scheduled to start on Sunday, February 4, but with time of the essence, given the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers set to start on February 22, Marcial said the league decided to move Game 1 two days earlier.

Marcial explained that the schedule adjustment will give national coach Tim Cone additional days to work with the players, particularly seven-time league Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez of San Miguel Beer who are part of the 12-man national team.

Marcial also said that the opening of the Philippine Cup has been moved from March 3 to February 28.

The adjustment will also give Gilas Pilipinas extra days to prepare for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) as four spots are up for grabs for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Philippines is scheduled to compete in the OQT from July 2 to 7 in Latvia.

Fajardo and Perez were both part of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines co-hosted last year, highlighted by Gilas’ 9675 demolition of long-time Asian basketball powerhouse China at the close of the classification phase at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cone, best remembered for steering the Philippines back to the top of the Asian Games men’s basketball throne following last year’s gold medal conquest in Hangzhou, is expected to be busy soon when the national team’s practices commence in preparation for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.

The national squad will face Hong Kong on February 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium, followed by Chinese Taipei on February 25 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Other than Fajardo and Perez, four other PBA players were named to the 12-man team led by Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo, Meralco wingman Chris Newsome and TNT gunner Calvin Oftana.

Japan B.League Filipino imports Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos and Carl Tamayo were also included in the team, along with La Salle star and UAAP Season 86 Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao.

Justin Brownlee has been designated the naturalized player pending FIBA’s decision regarding his eligibility in upcoming tournaments.