DESPITE the high risk, the PBA is throwing its full support to Gilas Pilipinas in the fast-approaching Asian Games in China.
The board of governors met in a special meeting Thursday and reassured the pro league's commitment to the Gilas Asiad team that will be coached by Tim Cone and populated by PBA players.
The PBA also gave the go-signal for Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua and commissioner Willie Marcial to serve as Gilas team manager and deputy team manager, respectively.
"We needed to have a board meeting because we knew if we're gonna commit to Asian Games, it can be a 'pass-or-fail' for the PBA there. A lot of risk we have to look at because this particular Gilas team is a PBA team coached by a PBA coach and the governor of Barangay Ginebra and the commissioner of the PBA are sitting on the bench," he said.
"But the PBA is all-in. When the board discussed it, we were single-minded about it. Eh kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino pa? The PBA has never been afraid to fail. The governors were saying: we were not afraid when it was COVID (2020 bubble) and we're not afraid today especially for a good cause, which is the Philippine team," added Vargas.
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Vargas, Marcial, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, and PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales presented the Gilas plan for the Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 Asiad.
The pro league had earlier trimmed down its Season 48 to two conferences instead of the usual three to give way to the FIBA World Cup as well as the anticipated participation in the Asiad.
Additionally, the season-opening Governors' Cup will only start until after the Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 Asian Games are completed. (OL)
