Gilas players want a shot at Olympic Manila Bulletin – Fri, Nov 14, 2014 12:40 AM PHT Several members of Gilas Pilipinas who played at the FIBA World Cup expressed a desire to be back for the national team and get a shot at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. To do that, however, Gilas must win the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship to be played in China, a tall order considering that only one Olympic slot is available and the tournament will be played on hostile soil. Asked if they were willing to undergo the sacrifice of doing long training and to be away with their love ones for months, many Gilas players had no reservations. “That’s not even a question,” said Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, a 6-foot-5 defensive specialist who has been with the national team since 2007. “Well, I have to be chosen again first. And if that happens, I’m on it. Definitely, there’s no doubt about it,” said Norwood, whose thunderous dunk over Argentina’s 6-foot-10 center Luis Scola was one of the highlights of the last World Cup in Spain. Norwood’s Rain or Shine teammate Jeff Chan echoed the same sentiment. “Of course, I’m hoping and I’m praying na makuha pa din ako. Alam ko naman medyo naka-tulong din naman ako sa Gilas Pilipinas last time. So kapag tinawag, why not,” said Chan. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel guard LA Tenorio said he too will make himself available, and it doesn’t matter who will coach the team after Chot Reyes asked that his name be removed from consideration as Gilas coach. “If ever na mapili uli ako, maglalaro naman ako kahit kaninong coach, basta tawag ng Philippine Team, andun ako. I’m sure kahit sinong player sa PBA basta tinawag, sasama. It doesn’t matter kung sino ang coach,” said Tenorio. Ginebra’s 7-foot center Greg Slaughter, not a member of Gilas but was with the national team pool, said that he would love to be part of the national team in the Olympic qualifier. “Yes, I’ll be there,” said Slaughter. The five-man search committee, headed by SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, convened last Tuesday and set the guidelines in choosing the nominees for the vacant spot. The committee is expected to come up with a name, which will be recommended – and for approval – to SBP President Manny V. Pangilinan. This early, however, three names have been mentioned by various sources, and these are Talk ’N Text’s Jong Uichico, TNT’s consultant Tab Baldwin, and Meralco’s Norman Black.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 04:21:54 +0000
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