Gilas Pilipinas decided to go to the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Bahrain with a full amateur line-up. Technically, it will include five players who are already drafted in the PBA; Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi, Mike and Matt Nieto.
But, their current status is more of an amateur than that of a professional as they are not yet allowed to play for the clubs that drafted them.
Joining them are Kobe Paras, Justine Baltazar, Dwight Ramos, Will Navarro, Dave Ildefonso, Calvin Oftana, Kemark Carino, Javi Gomez de Liano and Jaydee Tungcab.
The Gilas management decided to do that even though there are two young PBA superstars who told the media that they wanted to represent the country this November.
When Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was asked about it, they provided this explanation, "we take into consideration what the PBA players went through. They were apart from their families for at least six weeks and had to go through a grueling schedule."
I think this is a sensible reason knowing that PBA players do not usually play eleven games in just the span of five weeks.
But, is the weight of that heavier than the positive things that they will get by giving CJ Perez and Kiefer Ravena experience with potential teammates in the 2023 FIBA World Cup?
No disrespect to those amateur players and the five PBA draftees, but I can only see at least three of them with a real shot of making the 2023 roster. And that Ravena and Perez are more realistic options for 2023.
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