ALLAN THE MAN

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas welcomed the decision of defensive ace Marc Pingris to make himself available for Gilas Pilipinas again, (READ: Marc Pingris changes mind, decides to join Gilas Pilipinas pool )but said that his inclusion to the squad will depend on coach Tab Baldwin.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said that while Pingris changed his mind and wants to rejoin the team again, it is leaving the decision to Baldwin whether or not he’ll still be inserted to the squad.

Baldwin and the Gilas Pilipinas pool are currently in Estonia for a training camp that is part of their preparations for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

“Kasi kailangan ‘yung formation ng team, nagbibigay galang tayo sa head coach,” Barrios said in an interview on Aksyon sa Umaga on Thursday. “Management side tayo e, ‘di dapat tayo mauna. Ika nga, we must give due respect to the person tasked to form the team.

“The development na gusto ulit ni Ping na makasama siya sa Gilas Pilipinas e magandang development ‘yon per se. ‘Yung detalya kung kelan, paano, hayaan nating si coach Tab ang magsabi noon kasi nasa malayo siya e nasa Estonia siya. Pero he’s already aware and I’m sure pinag-iispian na niya or napag -isipan na niya siguro pero as we speak wala pa tayong word kung papano.”

Barrios also ruled out the possibility of Pingris flying to Estonia to join the team, citing logistical concerns.

“Kung susunod siya sa Estonia, ‘di ko masasabi ‘yun. Ang pwede ko lang maikomentaryo, pagkuha ng visa, ang working day e Huwebes tas bukas piyesta opisyal tas weekend na, tatlong araw na walang trabaho yan,” Barrios said.

“Ang pagkakaintindi ko, (August) 24 e packup na sila sa Estonia so ‘di ko masasagot na praktikal ba na sumunod siya sa Estonia considering na malamang mahirapan tayo makakuha ng visa.”

Pingris announced on Wednesday that he would like to play for Gilas Pilipinas again despite his earlier pronouncement about begging off from the team.

The San Miguel Corporation also said that it supports the national team cause and even added that it would encourage its players to join Gilas Pilipinas. Some of company’s notable players, namely San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and Ginebra’s LA Tenorio, are absent from the squad despite getting an invite, citing injuries and fatigue.

Barrios said the SBP isn’t closing its door on players who might follow suit after Pingris, but reminded that time is running short for the squad to prepare as the tournament is just almost a month away.

“Kung merong may makakasama pa tayo na makakatulong sa lineup at ating main objective na (mag-qualify) sa Rio Olympics, why not?” Barrios said. “Alam naman natin kung sinu-sino ang mga makakatulong tlaga sa ating mga koponan, so if they come forward na willing magsilbi sa flag and country, why not?

“We don’t have the luxury of time. September 23 na ‘yung laban as we speak August 20 na so isang buwan, ilang araw na lang laban na.”

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