MANILA, Philippines - What appeared to be a brewing war between the SBP and PBA has turned into a reconfirmation of unity for the country’s sake. When PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios recently ruled to make Smart-Gilas’ games in the Philippine Cup no-bearing, there was speculation that the decision was premised on malicious intent. But PBA special assistant to the commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday insisted the ruling had nothing to do with Gilas’ 33-point loss to sister team Talk ‘N’ Text when naturalization candidate C. J. Giles played five scoreless minutes last Oct. 21. Marcial doused cold water on the rumor that some PBA governors feared Gilas would be used as a leverage tool to favor the Tropang Texters in the standings. Barrios said he was faced with two options. The first was to continue to reflect the outcome of Gilas’ games in the PBA teams’ standings but Giles would be disqualified from playing. The second was to allow Giles to suit up but Gilas’ games would be no-bearing, including those previously played. He decided on the second option, initially raising a howl from SBP executive director Noli Eala who questioned the wisdom of changing rules in the middle of a tournament. “We picked the better option for the SBP and Gilas,” said Barrios in a text to Eala, his predecessor. “I was left to choose between two options only. I prefer Gilas maintaining its independence as far as its lineup is concerned. I know you prefer the status quo but that was not an option I had authority to pursue.” Eala said the decision was a complete surprise. “When we agreed to play in the PBA as a guest team, this condition that the PBA will exclude Giles from playing was never imposed,” said Eala. “We submitted a lineup with Giles and it was accepted by the commissioner’s office without condition. In fact, we played with C. J. against Burger King without question or issue. “While I do not question the prerogative of the commissioner to decide on this matter, this decision to change their own rules in mid-conference based on limited parameters imposed by the Board is highly unusual and simply unfortunate. Also, to insinuate that Giles did not play well versus Talk ‘N’ Text is unfounded and lame. We are a national team and we are expected to play our best regardless of whom we play but in accord with how our coaches see fit. To question whom we choose to use or not to use is an infringement on our independence as a federation, program and team. Sadly, this smacks of discrimination.” Eventually, both sides came to an agreement that Barrios’ decision would be followed. Marcial explained that from the start, there was uneasiness on the PBA’s part to give in to Gilas’ request to make the games bearing for the PBA teams so as to avoid a “practice” atmosphere. “When Derick Pumaren was the coach, the PBA played no-bearing games with the national team,” recalled Marcial. “And the first time coach Ron Jacobs’ national team played in the PBA, the games were no bearing. The second time, it was decided to make the games bearing and the national team, playing as Northern Consolidated, won the title in 1985. In Gilas’ case, the Board wanted to avoid another physical game like what happened against Burger King. While Gilas will learn from the PBA’s physical style, it didn’t simulate a typical FIBA game. In FIBA, there are no flagrant one and flagrant two fouls, only unsportsmanlike fouls where the penalty is two free throws and possession. In the PBA, the three-point arc is farther. So the PBA wasn’t really helping Gilas for future FIBA tournaments.” Marcial said in Gilas’ last seven games in the Philippine Cup, FIBA rules will be used by PBA referees, including the shorter three-point arc. Even timeouts will be according to FIBA guidelines although the timing of quarters will remain 12 minutes each. Marcial said the PBA will no longer require Gilas to contribute P15,000 for operating costs each game. “The PBA is committed to the national team,” said Marcial. “Under this arrangement, Gilas may bring in any number of new players without restrictions. The PBA is convinced this is the right way to show support for the national team. Instead of trying to teach the national team the PBA way, it will try to help the team play the FIBA way.” Eala said Giles, who went on a brief home leave to visit his ailing four-year-old son in California, returned last Sunday and will play against Coca-Cola in the first game of a PBA tripleheader at the Cuneta Astrodome today. Eala welcomed the new agreement as a sign of unity, lauding the efforts of all involved parties in forging cooperation among the SBP, Gilas and the PBA. For its part, the PBA said it will do what is necessary to support the SBP’s ultimate goal of bringing Gilas to represent the country at the 2012 London Olympics.
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