POC vows to keep fighting for Gilas, but issues reminder to NSAs

Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino reiterated his earlier statement of standing by Gilas Pilipinas and appeal for the inclusion of the four PBA veterans- Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Moala Tautuaa and Jason Perkins – into the final 12 in time for the 19th Asian Games men’s basketball in Hangzhou, China.

Justin Brownlee (left) PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO 

Tolentino said the appeal he has been making to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee is something he’s not merely doing for basketball, a sport that millions of Filipinos love with a passion. But he’s also doing the same thing to other national sports associations (NSAs) that are undergoing some roster concerns in the quadrennial games.

“Yeah (officially Abueva and three others have been declined) which is why I did say earlier, even if they declined my appeal a thousand times, I’ll also make an appeal a thousand times,” were Tolentino’s fighting words during his interview at former PBA commissioner Noli Eala’s online sports program Power and Play on Saturday, September 23.

“However, I can’t just give my full attention there (at Gilas) because I’m also overseeing more than 40 sports (NSAs), just like fencing and gymnastics…but then, if the rejection (is final on Abueva and Co.), I don’t care, as long as the (basketball) games haven’t started, I’m not losing hope,” the POC chief stressed in Filipino.

However, Tolentino hopes that situations like this could be averted in future international competitions considering that the list of names that have been set by organizing committees are not new anymore.

“The list of names became a practice when COVID came because what if an athlete gets tested positive (for the virus)? Before, the practice of replacing an athlete was easy, but this (list) gives you a backup plan, like you have a plan B when plan A fails,” explained Tolentino.

“There have been cases like that (replacing an athlete) in the past, like someone is about to give birth, so she can’t join the tournament anymore, so all replacements must come from the list (submitted to the organizing committee).

But then again, pending the final decision from the HAGOC, Tolentino is reminding every NSA president to be mindful of the deadline for submissions, which the POC has been reminding them since long before.

“Again, it all depends on the organizers if there will be a long (list), but if there’s a need to submit a long list, please mind us (POC), mind the rules, mind the playbook and just simply follow,” the POC head appealed.

Pending the final decision on the status of Abueva and Co., Gilas interim coach Tim Cone has named Chris Ross, CJ Perez, Arvin Tolentino and Kevin Alas as their replacements, while Marcio Lassiter is taking the spot of Roger Pogoy, due to medical issues.

Gilas practiced at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, before leaving for Hangzhou, China the following day.