SBP to take new course in formation of national team

TAIPEI – Jordan Clarkson, Andray Blatche, Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena, Kobe Paras and Marc Belo.

These are the players that may form the core of the next Philippine national team with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas looking at bringing back the cadet program.

SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas said they’re thanking the PBA for all its support all these years but the national federation is about to take a new course with regards the formation of the national team.

“We need to come up with a long-term program for SBP rather than rely a hundred percent on the PBA because it’s very volatile,” said Vargas.

“Sometimes they’re there, sometimes they’re not there. There’s no assurance.

The best way to do is go back to the cadet program,” added Vargas, referring to their original program that featured Marcus Douthit, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Jvee Casio, Mark Baracael, Mark Barocca, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, among others.

Another consideration is to further strengthen the Talk n Text roster in the PBA and make it available to the national team.

“If people think we’re getting the best players (to TNT), that’s our vision. If Talk n Text is good enough to be a national team, it’s so much easier than to kneel down and ask for assistance,” said Vargas. “I don’t mind saying that. That’s a serious consideration.”

The PBA board itself is clamoring for the national cage federation to map up a long-term national team program especially with the shift of FIBA to a new calendar that will run in conflict with that of the local pro league.

Some quarters in the PBA board also bat for a cadet program, promising to help by approving a provision that will set a period of time when cadet players will not be lured to be drafted in the pro league.

With this, the pick-up system from the PBA roster will be avoided.

Vargas said they’re seriously taking a look at that.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng tumulong, lahat sila tumulong naman. Pero mahirap humingi ng abuloy (I thank all those who helped up. All of them actually helped. But it’s hard to beg),” said Vargas.

“The temperament of the teams varies, same with the temperament of the players. It’s true that one suffers fatigue, gets hurt or really can’t play. The level of commitment is another thing. There are players who will play hurt. I saw that in Ping (Marc Pingris). His commitment is inspiring,” Vargas pointed out.

He’s sad the PBA, undoubtedly the source of the best players in the country, can’t be consistent in support of the national team.

“One day they wake up with full support, the next time partial support, the next time one player per team. So 12 lang yon, kulang pa. Paano kung ang ibibigay mo hindi kailangan, kahit two players pa per team,” he asked.

“Then you ask a question ‘is this the best team we put up for the Philippines.’ You look them in the eyes, (and they will tell you) this is not the best team,” rued Vargas.