Puwedeng makasilat ang Gilas -- Salud

MANILA, Philippines - Sa pagkakaroon ng bagong roster ay maaa-ring makapanggulat ang Gilas Pilipinas at mapaganda ang kanilang second-place finish sa nakaraang FIBA Asia Championship.

Ito ang sinabi ni PBA president at chief executive officer Chito Salud sa kanyang mensahe sa PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night kamakalawa ng gabi sa Century Park Sheraton Hotel.

“I’m often asked what I think about the absence of sought-out players. I have nothing but gratitude to those who have played, are playing, and will play in the future,” wika ni Salud na iniwasan ang negatibong mga bagay sa pagbubuo sa Gilas pool at sa final lineup nito. “I want to focus on the silver linings, from giving our opponents the element of surprise to widening our pool in the future.”

Hiniling niya ang suporta ng lahat kay coach Tab Baldwin at sa Gilas na naghahangad na makapaglaro sa Olympic basketball competition sa Rio de Janeiro sa 2016.

“With the Philippines back in the world stage, the PBA will continue supporting Gilas. For us to have more exciting times, it will be key for all of us to stick together, battle through differences, find a common ground, and as what the coaches say ‘keep advancing the ball,’” sabi ni Salud.

Nagbigay din ng talumpati si PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa sa annual event na nagpara-ngal sa 12 individuals na nag-iwan ng marka sa nakaraang PBA Season 40.

Pinamunuan nina Leo Austria at Patrick Gregorio, hinirang na Coach of the Year at Executive of the Year, ang iba pang awardees na kinabibila-ngan nina June Mar Fajardo (Defensive Player), Calvin Abueva (Mr. Quality Minutes), Paul Lee (Player of the Week Order of Merit), Terrence Romeo (Scoring Champion) at sina Matt Ganuelas, Stanley Pringle, Jericho Cruz, Jake Pascual at Chris Banchero (All-Rookie Team).