Gilas Gets Invited as Guest Team in the PBA

Isaac Go, Mike Nieto, Matt Nieto, Rey Suerte, and Allyn Bulanadi have yet to play a single Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) game despite the top five picks in the special Gilas Pilipinas draft of the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft because they were loaned to the national team and can't return to their mother clubs unless released by the national team.

If things work smoothly with both the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Go and company, along with the current core of the national team, will get a chance to play in the PBA this year. 

Not only does the national team program intend to get three to five more players from the upcoming 2021 PBA Rookie Draft next month, but the league also extended an invitation for Gilas Pilipinas to join the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup which is slated to open in April.  That, if Gilas' schedule will permit them to participate.

"We said that if they do not have practices or training, or if they are not joining any leagues, they can join our first conference this season," PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said on Monday. 

Of course, Gilas Pilipinas will be represented by the Gilas cadets should the plan pushes through to pit them against the 12 PBA teams. 

Gilas joining and competing for the Philippine Cup would be a perfect opportunity to continuously work in preparation for the upcoming 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup in August in which the Filipinos only need one more win in the third window of the Asia Cup qualifiers to get a slot. "The PBA wants to help Gilas Pilipinas gain experience through playing (in the PBA)," Marcial added.

Gilas Pilipinas is currently training inside the Calamba bubble and is set to fly for Doha, Qatar later this month for the third window of the Asia Cup qualifiers where they will face Korea twice and will have another dance against Indonesia. 

Photo is from RMN Networks