Al’s courageously commendable move
IT was the right move. I refer to Al Panlilio’s July 26 decision to scrap our basketball participation in the Asian Games Aug. 18-Sept. 2 in Jakarta.
Indeed, we do not have the right players for the event following the suspension of some of the PHL Team’s key men (including 7footer slot man Andray Blatche) by the World Basketball Federation (Fiba) in the aftermath of that July 2 “basketbrawl” at the Philippine Arena between Gilas and Australia.
So near is the Asiad that with a hastilyassembled lineup, we would only end up as the laughing stock in the sport we all so dearly love.
I praise the readiness of the Rain or Shine management when the team was tapped to represent us in the Asiad. With their generosity, I can feel patriotism oozing from the hearts of RoS owners Terry Que and Raymond Yu Que and for which we ought to raise our glass to them.
The following is the complete statement of Panlilio, the president of SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas):
“The SBP remains committed to the continuous development of Philippine basketball, and to attaining the best possible results for our teams in the global stage.
We thank Rain or Shine, especially its owners Terry Que and Raymond Yu, as well as NLEX Coach Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine Coach Caloy Garcia, for expressing their willingness to represent our nation in the upcoming Asian Games.
However, to allow our National Team and our organization to regroup, prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel’s recent Decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournaments—including the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup—we have reached the conclusion that, with the forgoing considered and after consulting with the basketball community, the time and chance to participate in the 2018 Asian Games would not be optimal.
We apologize to the Asian Games organizers, to the fans of the Philippine Team, and to the Asian basketball community for this withdrawal. The SBP resolves to improve its systems, and to prepare programs that will better ensure respectable performances of our teams internationally, of which our countrymen can be truly proud.”
I second the motion.