With three crucial tourneys already in its rearview mirror, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is now setting its sights on making a return to the Olympics after more than five decades of absence.
SBP president Al Panlilio said they are now plotting their participation in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in a bid to catch the last bus headed for the Paris Olympics next year.
The federation will march into the OQT oozing with confidence.
After regaining the gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games last May and successfully hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup last August, Gilas Pilipinas reached yet another milestone when it emerged victorious in the 19th Asian Games.
Bannered by Tim Cone with Philippine Basketball Association players in the roster, the squad posted “miraculous” victories over Iran in the quarterfinals and China in the semifinals before beating Jordan in the final to win the country’s first men’s basketball gold medal in 61 years.
Now, the federation is looking to come up with a strong performance in its next mission — the Olympic qualifiers.
“We want to win the qualification and that should be the only goal,” Panlilio said in a Viber message to Daily Tribune on Wednesday. So far, eight teams have already qualified in the Olympics with host France gaining an automatic slot.
Among those who already punched their respective tickets via the FIBA Basketball World Cup were Japan for Asia, Australia for Oceania, Canada and the United States for the Americas, Germany and Serbia for Europe and South Sudan for Africa.
Panlilio said they gained a lot of lessons that they can use in the OQT in which the four remaining slots for the Paris Olympics will be disputed by 12 teams.
He said they have to regroup as soon as possible and plot the program, including the identification of the head coach and pool of players.
“I have to work on the players and who will coach the team. Our initial agreement with Tim is Asian Games. Remember, he didn’t want to at first when asked,” said Panlilio, whose team last made it to the Olympics in Munich in 1972.
Cone served as assistant to Gilas coach Chot Reyes during the latter part of the World Cup qualifiers, the World Cup and the SEA Games.
When Reyes took a leave as Gilas coach for the Asian Games, Cone refused to take over the coaching post, but was persuaded by his principals in San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang and sports director Alfrancis Chua.
His decision paid a handsome reward as he led Gilas to the Asian Games gold medal.
Panlilio admitted that they have yet to decide if Cone will make a return.
“These things will need to be discussed,” he said.
