MANILA, Philippines — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has welcomed the move of newly-appointed commissioner Willie Marcial lifting the limit on the number of players a PBA franchise can lend to the national team.
“It’s most welcome – the lifting of limitations per team,” SBP executive director Sonny Barrios told The STAR yesterday.
“That gives us (SBP) plenty of room to form a more competitive national team,” Barrios added.
The PBA may also consider making the necessary adjustments in its schedule to avoid any serious conflict with Gilas games.
In recent past, PBA teams are only obliged to lend as many two players (a veteran and a cadet) to Gilas Pilipinas in order to keep the balance of each team while they compete in the PBA.
That was part of the agreement between the SBP and the PBA in 2016.
But days into his stint as commissioner, Marcial announced that the lending of PBA players to Gilas is now unlimited.
The moves come as the Gilas squad under coach Chot Reyes prepares for crucial games in the FIBA World qualifiers.
On Feb. 22, Gilas faces heavyweight Australia in Melbourne and then Japan on Feb. 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
