Gilas will play in the Jones Cup
by rick olivares
Amid reports or speculation that Gilas
Pilipinas might not defend its William Jones Cup title in Taiwan this July
(6-14), a conversation with team manager Butch Antonio indicated that the
national team will indeed participate in the regional basketball tournament.
“The Chinese Taipei Basketball
Association sent a second invitation for the tournament and we have every
intention of complying,” said Antonio in a phone conversation yesterday
afternoon. “We cannot just reject the invitation or do something that will be
construed as a snob. That is for the politicians and the Samahang Basketbol ng
Pilipinas to work on. We on the other hand will look to our preparations for
the upcoming FIBA tournament.”
“We (Gilas) started practicing two
days ago with an eye on our calendar that involves the training camp in
Lithuania (June 2-16) and possible matches lined up with the Japan Basketball
Association and the Jones Cup.”
Antonio admitted that while there are
concerns over the team’s safety given the reported physical threats on
Filipinos working in the island state after the death of a Taiwanese fisherman
at the hands of the Philippine Coast Guard in overlapping ocean economic zones
last May 9, he sees no reason for the organizers of the basketball tournament
will not come up with the proper security measures.
In the days after the death of the
Taiwanese fisherman, a Taipei legislator, Cheng Chih-Lung called for the
suspension of all Taiwan-Philippines sporting events including the William
Jones Cup. Antonio, however, debunked the report by pointing out that
tournament officials have asked the Philippines for confirmation about their
participation.
“Right now,” pointed out Antonio.
“We’re focused on basketball and not anything else.”
National team head coach Chot Reyes on his part said that, "As far as I know, we have not been uninvited. But security concerns aside what will not make us participate is if any of the governments say that we should not play."
National team head coach Chot Reyes on his part said that, "As far as I know, we have not been uninvited. But security concerns aside what will not make us participate is if any of the governments say that we should not play."
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I tried to get SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios to respond to this but got no reply. Will try to get more info!
After the Luneta Hostage Incident, the general consensus of the (silent) majority was, "everyone, calm down, mourn, and let's see what we can do to move forward" (at least, that's what my Chinese boss from Hong Kong says). I am expecting most Taiwanese to think the same, and I hope the Philippine government is aware of that too, and lets Gilas play in the Jones Cup.
ReplyDeleteso will the Philippines play or not?
ReplyDeleteNot anymore. We just got uninvited.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to hear the news! I thought it was a douchey move on the part of Taiwan, anyways I'm sure our team will find other means to prep for the upcoming 2013 FIBA Asia. It's just unfortunate to not be given the opportunity to try and defend the title..
ReplyDelete