So what does coach Rajko Toroman and the rest of the national team have to do with the three-day meeting in Thailand’s sparkling capital city?
An official decision would be forthcoming on whether PBA superstars Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and James Yap will be allowed by the league to suit up for the national team bound for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this November.
The league Board has placed the question on top of its agenda following a request submitted by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan about the possibility of loaning Taulava, Williams and Yap to the national team for the Asiad.
PBA chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace, who takes over from Air21’s Lito Alvarez – now the Bureau of Customs commissioner – will preside over the meeting along with vice chairman Atty. Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine and treasurer JB Baylon of Powerade.
The out-of-the-country brainstorming will be the first under new commissioner Chito Salud, who expects to get the nod of the Board regarding the proposed playing rules he himself modified together with the league’s technical officials.
"The PBA office has already discussed these rules with members of the team’s coaching staff and PBA media partners. We believe the simplified version of the rules will prevent confusion and errors," Salud said.
With the help of broadcast partner Solar TV, the commissioner said the league will use all available technology in helping the referees make the right calls.
Other issues expected to be tackled are the allowable heights of imports for both the second and third conferences, respectively, following the return of the league to its old three-conference format, as well as the possibility of the PBA establishing its own Developmental League in the wake of reports that the merger between the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas has not worked out according to expectations.
"The Governors are looking deeply into it. They are monitoring the progress of the PBL-Liga merger and are aware of the uncertainties," Salud said.
Pangilinan, team owner of PBA ball clubs Talk `N Text and Meralco, made the appeal owing to coach Rajko Toroman’s belief that the presence of the three PBA superstars would enhance Smart Gilas’ bid to win the gold in the Asiad.
Slated from November 12 to 27, the Asiad will be held simultaneously with the PBA’s season-opening Philippine Cup.
Powerade has already given its go-signal allowing Taulava to suit up again for the national team, while Williams is expected to follow the same route as team owner Pangilinan would naturally give him his blessing.
Only Yap remains doubtful of the three, especially since Derby Ace is expected to play the early part of the All-Filipino conference minus injured key players Kerby Raymundo and Mark Pingris.
"The Smart Gilas program is a young and promising program. So in whatever way the PBA can assist, we shall not hesitate," said Salud, who just succeeded Sonny Barrios as the league’s eighth commissioner, .
However, he made no commitment with regards to the availability of Taulava, Williams and Yap.
"Regardless of the decision of the Board on whether or not to loan the three stars, the PBA must arrive at a long-term operational arrangement with the SBP that specifically defines the PBA’s role in aiding SBP’s international basketball program," Salud added.
Players who were also considered for inclusion in the Smart Gilas team were Talk `N Text’s Ryan Reyes and Ranidel de Ocampo, Rain or Shine’s Sol Mercado and Gabe Norwood and Sonny Thoss of Alaska.
The three-day conference was originally scheduled in Hong Kong from September 1 to 3, but was cancelled at the last minute following the unfortunate Manila hostage taking incident that killed eight Hong Kong tourusts. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV
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