SBP thankful to Remy Martin for interest to join Gilas Pilipinas

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio thanked Remy Martin for his interest to play for the national team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Martin said in his Instagram account that he got a call from the Philippines that he will not be part of the pool that will see action in the FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in China.

Panlilio explained the SBP was constrained to have Martin in the pool due to the FIBA rule that a player must have a Philippine passport before the age of 16 in order to be eligible to play for Gilas.

“We are more than happy to accommodate Remy and make him part of our Gilas Pilipinas program. However, we are constrained by the FIBA ruling that says, a player, hoping to play as a local must have a local passport before the age of 16. That is one area that we are trying to ascertain”.

“There is no doubt that Remy’s mother, Mary Anne Bagtas Macaspac was born in the Philippines. She has documents to prove that. However, we are waiting for more documents to prove that Remy is eligible to play as a local,” Panlilio said.

Panlilio said he will once again raise the contentious rule to the FIBA eligibility meeting in his capacity as second vice president of the FIBA-Asia board.

“The issue on eligibility will again be raised in the next FIBA eligibility meeting. My position as 2nd VP in the FIBA-ASIA Board gives me an opportunity to push for clarity and reforms on that matter. We are thankful to Remy for his sincere interest to play for our flag and country. We, in the SBP are trying to do everything to make that a reality,” Panlilio said.

PHOTO: thesundevils.com