By REYNALD MAGALLON
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy lamented the Southeast Asian Games organizing committee’s confusing ruling on the player eligibility in the men’s 5-on-5 basketball tournament.
With only two weeks remaining before the hostilities open in Bangkok, Thailand, Gilas Pilipinas has yet to form a final 12 for the biennial meet after the organizers purportedly changed the ruling on player eligibility.
According to Dy, the organizers initially relayed that they will be applying the ‘passport only’ rule which was the basis of the initial lineup announced by head coach Norman Black.
The organizers then released another handbook which made things even more confusing since it was citing both the ‘passport only’ rule and the FIBA eligibility rule.
What’s even more perplexing for SBP was some players were given the green light to participate despite acquiring their passports past 16-years-old while some were not allowed.
“I think more than being disappointed, medyo frustrating talaga siya. Parang ang hirap mag-prepare kung ganyan na hindi natin alam. Pero ewan ko, sa pakiramdam natin, baka minsan hindi natin alam, baka sinasadya. Wag naman sana,” said Dy.
“Pero parang, that’s something that we’ve experienced every two years sa SEA Games. Hindi na siya bago sa atin. So hindi na rin kami masyado nagugulat,” she added.
“Like I said, even when they issued that black and white rule na passport only, we were always very cautious about it and always had a plan B in mind.”
Dy said it wasn’t only Gilas that expressed its frustrations over the situation although she assured that the focus of the national team is to defend the gold medal no matter what.
“Ibang countries have expressed their frustration as well. But what I always tell Coach Norman and other coaches, at the end of the day, this is a multi-sport competition among SEA countries. So more than anything, I think it’s a place or a venue where the SEA nations can come together and unite through sports,” stressed Dy.
“Basta lalaro lang tayo. Gagawin natin ang pinakamagandang team na ma-re-represent natin yung country. And hopefully we can retain the gold medal,” she added.
