PBA set to call special board meeting on Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) powerful board is set to call for a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss among others Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament (OQT).

“I don’t want to preempt our governors.  Chairman Robert Non has called a special formal board meeting with one topic, Gilas, but let’s leave it at that, so as not to preempt our board on their sentiments,” Salud told media men during Tuesday’s PBA press conference for its 41st season at the Diamond Hotel.

Salud said the pro league is well aware of the deadline for the confirmation of the country’s participation in the OQT, which is why the board has made it a priority topic this week.

“Again, the board, through chairman Non, will come out with a clear-cut and unambiguous decision on this matter,” he added.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country’s governing basketball body, has until October 18 to confirm its participation in the final Olympic qualifier for the Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Gilas failed to grab the automatic slot for the 2016 Rio Olympics after bowing to host China in the just-concluded FIBA Asia men’s championships in Changsa.

However, the Philippines, along with bronze medalist Iran and Japan have earned tickets to the FIBA qualifying tournaments set from July 4 to 10 in three different cities around the world.