Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Reigning Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) MVP June Mar Fajardo, prolific guard Paul Lee, and sweet-shooting Marcio Lassiter are among the big names Filipino fans think should be in the Gilas Pilipinas roster.
But league president and CEO Chito Salud said there’s no point in arguing who should be included in the team that will vie for the gold in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China.
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“I can understand the disappointment of some in not seeing the players they think should be in the team, but I simply refuse to indulge in it further than that,” said Salud during the PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Wednesday (September 16).
“It’s a waste to point fingers. Further, I think it is a disservice to those who have volunteered to play to hear that there are more preferred players who should be in their place instead.”
Salud said he wants people to look at the silver linings.
“I want to focus on the silver linings – from giving our opponents the element of surprise to deepening our pool of talents for the future,” said Salud, whose previous commissioner post is now filled by Chito Narvasa.
Speaking of deepening the pool, Salud added it is high time to reconsider building a cadet of players for the future national teams. He also assured that the PBA will back the program as it always has.
“I hope these events will serve as an impetus to revisit the very sound concept of building a cadet of players who would be developed as a team that will train and play together for a considerably longer period of time,” he said.
“With the Philippines back in the world stage of basketball, it is time. The PBA will continue to do its share in supporting Gilas as it has done in the past.”
Gilas is eyeing the gold medal in the FIBA Asia to clinch Asia’s lone slot in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
