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| Gilas will unveil its new Asian Games team on Thursday, but they will still wait for a final approval from Hangzhou. Kennelf Monteza (file photo) |
PASAY--While the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and PBA will only reveal the new Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the Asian Games on Thursday, the Philippine Olympic Committee has already notified the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee of the changes to the team as well as the other Filipino athletes going to China.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said on Wednesday that he seriously vouched for the national team changes during the Asian Games pre-delegation registration meeting.
“We are pushing hard for the changes in the rosters of some of our national teams to guarantee that they strong finish in the games,” Tolentino said.
The change became imminent following the resignation of Chot Reyes as Gilas' head coach after their campaign in the FIBA World Cup.
Reyes was still listed as the Gilas coach when the entry-by-names list was submitted just before the July 25 deadline.
Reyes' resignation on Saturday night alone is a ground for the POC to appeal for changes to the national team composition.
Tolentino clarified that the national team changes are still subject to HAGOC's final approval, but he added that he pushed hard for them during the registration meeting.
“The POC has already advised the HAGOC of the possible change in the composition of the Philippine delegation and let’s hope that the changes would be approved,” Tolentino said. “But we are insisting hard.”
A press conference has been set at the PBA office in Quezon City to announce the new Gilas team, but the POC will just find out on Sept. 17 in another registration meeting if HAGOC will clear the new players to suit up for the Philippine side.
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