Gilas to Benefit From the New FIBA Asia Cup Schedule

We can expect a better Gilas Pilipinas squad who will compete for next year's International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup. Why?

Due to the ongoing 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic which stopped almost everything around the globe, every single basketball league in the world has been either postponed or worse, cancelled. And for Gilas Pilipinas, they started 2020 off with a big road win against Indonesia as part of the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. They were supposed to play a home game against Thailand last February until FIBA postponed that game to a later date due to the fact that the COVID-19 mess was already escalating. Since then, the rest of the Asia Cup qualifiers has been postponed as the world of basketball is now trying to stave off any further damage that the pandemic can cause not just to the players but to the fans as well. As a result of the said postponements of leagues, 2021 is looking to be an action-packed year for basketball fans in general as many pundits are expecting to be back to normal by next year and that included the ones Gilas Pilipinas will be competing in.

The Tokyo Olympics has already been rescheduled for July 2021 instead of this year and in effect, the FIBA Asia Cup has been moved and will happen from August 17 to 29 next year to avoid conflicting with the schedule of the Olympics which is now set to happen on July 23 to August 8. And while the Philippine Basketball Association (PBS) is looking to revert to a two-conference once the situation eases up, the Asia Cup's new schedule will benefit the national team for the simplest reason: the team will have more time prepare once the enhanced community quarantine period which the entire Luzon is under has been lifted by the government. And in the worst-case scenario where the PBA will cancel the rest of the league's 45th season assuming that this pandemic is to stay a threat beyond September, that will allow the national team program to fully focus on preparing the team for the resumption of the Asia Cup qualifiers. 

With the PBA shortening the season, this will give players both from the professional and amateur ranks to train on a full-time basis without worrying about having to report to their mother teams as the shortened season will mean that the players will be freed from their responsibility and focus on training with the national team. For one, the changes in the schedule for both the PBA and FIBA will allow players who are part of the national team pool to develop a chemistry that will allow them to work together smoothly. But more importantly, the changes will allow injured players to focus on getting back in shape in time for the 2021 action.

Just imagine what kind of a Gilas Pilipinas team we're going to see in 2021: a healthy and well-trained team who will make us proud once the Asia Cup qualifiers resume and eventually, in the FIBA Asia Cup.  

Photo is from the Daily Tribune