Alfrancis Chua named SBP executive advisor

Alfrancis Chua will be part of Gilas' think-tank crew for the FIBA World Cup. Kennelf Monteza (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua will have an active role in building up Gilas Pilipinas for next year's FIBA World Cup and the tournaments before that as he has been named an executive advisor for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, among those present during the SBP stakeholders' meeting in Makati on Monday, confirmed the development on Wednesday.

"Ni-nominate si Alfrancis Chua bilang executive advisor ng SBP at Gilas," Marcial said while the PBA Philippine Cup games are ongoing at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Marcial added that it was a unanimous vote, and he is optimistic that SMC president Ramon Ang will allow Chua, also Ginebra's governor to the PBA board, to take on the new role with the SBP.

"Ewan ko kung nakapag-paalam na siya kay RSA, pero sa palagay ko naman, papayagan ni RSA yun kasi para sa bayan," Marcial further said.

He then bared some of the specifics about Chua's new position, saying, "Malaki ang role niya sa SBP. Kakausapin niya yung players kung ano ang magagawa niya at plano."

Marcial even said that Chua wants SBP to hold weekly Gilas practices every Monday, although that will be a topic for a future SBP meeting.

Marcial also clarified that Chua's SBP role will not be in conflict with that of Reyes as Gilas chief tactician and program director.

"Advisor lang naman eh. Ang masusunod pa rin naman, si Chot, pero magbibigay siya ng advice. Parang consultant, pero may konting ngipin," Marcial said. "OK naman sila ni Chot."

On the other hand, Marcial bared that Chua quickly went to work when his nomination was ratified.

"Nag-start na siya noon. Ang dami na niyang suggestions," Marcial said, adding that Chua is willing to help the SBP with or without a designation.

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