CASH INCENTIVES SA GILAS MEN’S 3X3 TEAM

MATAPOS ang kanilang outstanding performance sa 2022 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, ang Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3×3 team ay tumanggap ng cash bonuses mula kay Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio.

Ang koponan na binubuo nina Almond Vosotros, Joseph Eriobu, Lervin Flores, at Samboy De Leon ay tumapos sa ika-4 na puwesto sa torneo, sa likod ng Australia, New Zealand, at China.

Naitakas nila ang kapana-panabik na come-from-behind win laban sa top-seed at 2019 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup silver medalist Mongolia sa quarterfinals kung saan isinalpak ni Vosotros ng game-winning two-point shot.

“We’re very proud of their accomplishment and that’s why we saw it fit to give them incentives,” sabi ni Panlilio. “Representing the Philippines in different international basketball competitions always entails sacrifice for the team members. The SBP wanted to show our appreciation to the squad because they represented us well.”

Sa pangunguna ni coach Lester Del Rosario, na inasistihan nina SBP 3×3 Program Director Ronnie Magsanoc, PBA 3×3 Tournament Director Joey Guanio, PBA 3×3 Chairman Dickie Bachmann, at PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, ang ipinakita ng koponan ay patunay na ang partnership sa pagitan ng SBP at ng PBA ay patungo sa tamang direksiyon.

“This fourth place finish proves that we’ve learned from the challenges we met in the past. Because of the unwavering support of the PBA 3×3 community, we were able to form a team that was competitive against Asia’s best,” sabi pa ni Panlilio.

“This will inspire us to work even harder as the next goal will be to reclaim the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games.”

Sinabi rin ni Commissioner Marcial na gagawin ng PBA ang lahat ng makakaya nito para matulungan ang federation na makakuha ng mas maraming points para sa posibleng pagsabak sa 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Kami sa PBA, tuloy-tuloy lang ang suporta sa SBP dito sa 3×3. Nakikita natin na dumarami ‘yung fans na nakasubaybay at nabibigyan din ‘yung mga players and coaches natin ng opportunities,” ani Marcial.

“Tutuloy na tayo sa Third Conference ng PBA 3×3 para hindi masayang ‘yung momentum na nakuha natin mula sa FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup.”