MANILA, Philippines – PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the entire PBA roster is the pool of players ready to take over from Gilas Pilipinas players suspended by FIBA in the aftermath of their brawl with Team Australia.
“We’ll not lack players. All 12 PBA players will continue to support the national team,” said Marcial, shortly after FIBA’s announcement of its sanctions on the Philippines and Australia.
“Of course, I’m sad the hard work and sacrifice of the original Gilas team somehow went to waste as they’ll not be able to play in couples of games. At the same time, I’m thankful, the players are spared of suspension outside the FIBA games,” Marcial also said.
Marcial mentioned LA Tenorio, Paul Lee, Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, Vic Manuel, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga and Christian Standhardinger as possible replacements to the suspended players.
“All those players are battle-tested, and most of them have experienced playing international games,” said Marcial.
Tenorio, Lee, Almazan, Belga and Standhardinger have been part of the Gilas program while Santos has suited up with Team Philippines in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship under coach Yeng Guiao.
“We’re making all the PBA players available for Gilas. Pero syempre, kailangan gusto rin ng player mismo,” said Marcial.
Asked if Greg Slaughter and Marcio Lassiter would be good choices also, Marcial said the two would have problem on eligibility.
“I think they would fall on the same case of Christian Standhardinger. They are Fil-Ams but considered naturalized under the FIBA rules,” said Marcial.