Special Assistant to the President Bong Go confirmed reports that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) have finally agreed to send a Philippine squad to the Asian Games in Indonesia later this August.
Go also confirmed his involvement in negotiations for the participation of Gilas Pilipinas in the Asiad.
“Resulta po ito ng pakikipag-usap ko sa dalawang grupo na kapwa naman maluwag na kinonsidera ang gusto natin na magpadala ng koponan sa nasabing palaro. Sayang po kasi ang pagkakataon pag pinalampas natin (This is the result of my conversations with the two groups who deeply considered our clamor to send a team to the athletic meet. It will be a missed opportunity if we pass up),” Go said.
“This is the result of my conversations with the two groups who deeply considered our clamor to send a team to the athletic meet.”
“Nakapanghihinayang po kasi na walang kakatawan sa Pilipinas sa basketball competition ng Asian Games lalo nasa puso ng halos bawat Pilipino ang larong basketball (It’s saddening that the Philippines could not send a representative to the Asian Games basketball competition especially with basketball being in the heart of every Filipino),” he added.
In the Gilas setup, Rain Or Shine players will make up most of the roster with NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao leading the national team.
Guiao will have a hand in selecting the remainder of his Gilas lineup.
Meanwhile, Go said Gilas and the rest of the Philippine team that will go to Jakarta and Palembang for the quadrennial meet will enjoy the full support of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Maaasahan ng Philippine delegates sa Asian Games ang buong suporta ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Andito kami para suportahan ang mga manlalarong Pilipino na magdadala ng karangalan sa ating bansa (Filipino athletes in the Asian Games will have the full support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. We are here to support the Filipino athletes who will bring honor to our country),” Go said.
“Filipino athletes in the Asian Games will have the full support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. We are here to support the Filipino athletes who will bring honor to our country.”
