After a good showing in 2024, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) aims to keep everything simple.
SBP executive director Erika Dy told DAILY TRIBUNE that the victories of this year were because of the cooperation among stakeholders, especially business moguls Manny Pangilinan and Ramon Ang, that made them competitive on the international stage.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Tim Cone was appointed the Gilas’ head coach after their win in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, while Kings governor Alfrancis Chua was appointed the team manager last November.
“Honestly, I really believe in Philippine basketball, even before this year, and it was just really a matter of uniting all our stakeholders and getting the right team together, and that’s what we’ve been able to do,” said Dy, wanting to stay consistent after finding the right formula to success.
“We were able to compete on the world stage, like you said, beating a European team, and not just any European team, it was Latvia, which was a top 10 team in the world.”
The Philippines made huge strides in 2024 after beating World No. 6 Latvia, 89-80, in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament last July.
Gilas Pilipinas followed it up with a masterful 93-89 win over New Zealand on 21 November at the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Now, Gilas Pilipinas is bracing for the FIBA Asia Cup from 5 to 17 August in Saudi Arabia and the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.
Dy said after seeing Gilas produce upsets against more powerful opponents, she expects them to challenge for the Asian Cup and aim for another gold medal in the SEA Games.
“It’s a bit more difficult, I understand nowadays, because of the inclusion of Oceana in the FIBA Asia Cup, which was not the case in the previous years where we used to medal. But still, since we have already proven that we can beat New Zealand, then there’s no reason for us to get the podium finish there as well,” Dy said.
“Of course, that’s basketball, there are many variables, but that is the hope. In the SEA Games, I do think that we should get the gold for both men’s and women’s.”