Patriotic fervor

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) releasing its top players so they could play for Gilas Pilipinas in the Olympics qualifier next year is a patriotic move on its part that deserves kudos.

Not to take anything away from the Gilas team that placed second to China in the recent FIBA Asia Cup championship, nothing less than the best the PBA has to offer would have a fighting chance in the qualifier.

And it’s not just the PBA allowing its crème de la crème to don the Philippine tri-color, it has also agreed to tailor its season around the FIBA qualifier schedule.

What this means is that the Gilas team that would be formed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) would also have ample time to play together as a team.

Instead of just being called to action at the last minute, next year’s Gilas Pilipinas would be as ready as the teams it fought in the last FIBA Cup.

The PBA giving its all-out support for Gilas Pilipinas could only boost its gate attendance because national pride is at stake every time Gilas plays. 

In fact, from a marketing standpoint, it would be to the PBA’s best advantage if Gilas Pilipinas and the PBA are seen as one and the same entity.       

Image by Interaksyon