PBA Gilas Controversy: Do you agree that full-time Gilas is our top option?

 In the Power and Play program of ex. PBA commissioner Noli Eala, he managed to bring in the current PBA Kume and three other former commissioners in Chito Narvasa, Chito Salud and Sonny Barrios.

One of the discussion points was about the relationship between the PBA and the Gilas program of SBP. Currently, the Gilas program is spearheaded by the controversial, coach Tab Baldwin, who is currently implementing a program of having full-time Gilas players, as shown by the Gilas draft last 2019, and supported by PBA players.

The majority of the commissioner during the program agreed with the current plan and they even reiterated that having full-time Gilas players is still the gold standard.

Do you agree?

May I respectfully disagree. I do not think that is the current best path for the program. Maybe a decade ago but we are now on a new era of Philippine basketball. It is an era where we have multiple talented Filipino players that are playing in International leagues. Of course, it is led by Kai Sotto's attempt to reach the NBA. Followed by the landmark decision of Thirdy Ravena to play in Japan. 

Amateur players, who will be our top players a decade from now, are being persuaded in this trend as those who just finished high school is now going to America, to improve their craft.

So, focusing our effort and resources on building up a full-time Gilas pool may not be worth it because we may fail to create the best team that we can have for competitions.

I would rather see our Gilas program help in sending our amateur players to International leagues because whether you like it or not, they will have a better developmental trail there than in our country. 

And then, start crafting a training system wherein the scheme of the head coach of our national team can be imparted to them. Find ways to help build chemistry by marking out the best time to have quick training camps in the most realistic place.

At the end of the day, talent wins in basketball. If Gilas wants to succeed, it should push for the increase in the talent level of our national team players.