The Philippine Olympic Committee has yet to get a word from the 19th Asian Games organizers regarding its request for a last-minute change of roster of Gilas Pilipinas.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said he will personally discuss their appeal with the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee when he flies to China on Tuesday.
The POC is helping the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in lobbying for a change of lineup after some of Gilas players left for their respective commercial leagues in Japan and Korea following their campaign in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Even head coach Chot Reyes also resigned, prompting assistant coach Tim Cone to step up and handle a team composed of Philippine Basketball Association players.
But the change of lineup is no longer allowed as it was done past the deadline for Entry by Names last 25 July.
Tolentino said they are fighting hard to help the SBP come up with a competitive team.
“The meeting was supposed to be on Monday but was canceled due to the send-off,” said Tolentino, adding that they still have time to personally lobby as the men’s basketball competition will start on 26 September.
Among the players that the SBP wants to include are Calvin Abueva and Jason Perkins, who will come in as substitutes to injured Jamie Malonzo and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Stanley Pringle was also included as an alternate player.
Both Abueva and Perkins were not part of the 60-man pool that the federation sent to the organizers.
Right now, Gilas are already training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna. After that, they will face the Changwon LG Sakers in a friendly match before flying to Hangzhou.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann said they will do everything to help Gilas, who are looking to step on the medal podium for the first time since the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
Bachmann said some of his staff had already left for Hangzhou to make sure that the cagers will have an easy time when they arrive on 24 September.
