FOLLOWING THE recent conclusion of the 2023 Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) World Cup Asian Qualifiers in November, it is necessary to discuss the current state of the national basketball team moving forward. In particular, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ (SBP) surprising move to block Gilas Pilipinas player William Navarro’s stint in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) showed a glimpse into the current struggles of the federation.

Uncertainty and growing pains

The issues of Gilas started when the program unexpectedly altered its roster and coaching staff after their impressive run in international outings under Coach Tab Baldwin in 2021. 

Before SBP made sweeping changes to the team, Gilas was in its usual form with Baldwin at the helm. Then, Gilas successfully claimed a 6-0 sweep in the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers 2021, winning over the mighty South Korea twice—a feat which had not been done since 2013. 

Following Gilas’ excellent 2021 performance, the resignation of the American-Kiwi tactician and the return of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) coach Chot Reyes as the Gilas head coach then came as a surprise to Filipino basketball fans. Throughout the 2010s, Reyes served as the national team’s head coach, with his most notable accomplishment leading the Philippines to their first win in the FIBA World Cup after 40 years. He was put back in the position as SBP believes that his years of experience are a huge factor in the continued success of the program.

Despite the proven contributions of Reyes to the development of the national team, he was unsuccessful in replicating the same success he had the decade prior in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held last May. During their SEA Games stint in Vietnam, Coach Reyes and his team were unable to bring home the gold medal for the first time in three decades. Gilas lost the championship match to the well-prepared Indonesia team who outperformed them in outside shooting and ball movement, resulting in an 81-85 upset. Issues such as a lack of preparation time and the selected players’ unavailability were factors in their subsequent losses in the major tournament.

There was significant backlash from the public due to the uncharacteristic loss in the SEA Games, but the scrutiny worsened a few months later during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Reyes bluntly asked fans to temper their expectations in the tournament as they would only aim for a spot in the top eight. With the bar set low for the roster that Reyes established, it came as a huge disappointment when the team failed to meet its goal. The Philippine team that formerly dominated the tournament in the previous year had fallen out of contention after their final defeat to Japan—a team they had not lost to in over a decade. 

As Gilas experienced their most disappointing finish in recent years, the question now lies in why the organization chose to let go of Coach Baldwin given his established excellence in leading the team. When interviewed regarding the string of tough losses by Gilas, SBP President Al Panlilio explained Baldwin’s exit by deflecting the blame on Reyes. Moreover, he dismissed the main blunder of the organization which is the team’s lack of preparation—an issue which Reyes himself previously admitted to.

Seeing the decline in the performance of Gilas Pilipinas as a byproduct of mismanagement, it comes as no surprise that local Filipino talents would try their hand at leagues in other countries instead.

The Will Navarro situation

Filipino athletes find that joining foreign leagues is more appealing because of the far superior benefits they offer in comparison to what PBA players may receive at home. In particular, the biggest compensation Asian imports can receive in foreign leagues ranges from a whopping USD 30,000 to USD 50,000 or approximately Php 1.7 million to 2.8 million per month. These numbers are a far cry from the Php 200,000 to 420,000 per month that a local PBA player can earn—a limit set by the organization back in 2021.   

Among the first to open the foreign league’s doors to Filipino athletes, South Korea invited Filipino hoopers vying to compete overseas last July. The Filipino players who decided to play in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) included William Navarro, who signed a deal with the Seoul Samsung Thunders last July, only months before the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup. However, when the SBP and PBA became vocal about the issues of players going abroad, reports surfaced that the SBP had barred Navarro from playing in South Korea, just before the KBL season was about to start.

Due to this existing contract with NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA, Navarro’s request was denied, preventing him from getting a Letter of Clearance to play abroad. Navarro initially signed this contract when he was drafted in 2021, stipulating that although he will fulfill his national team duties, he is still considered a member of the Batang Pier and could not sign elsewhere.

The former Blue Eagle then apologized for the misunderstanding but hoped for a similar outcome to Kiefer Ravena who was still able to play in Japan while under contract with his PBA team. Nonetheless, Navarro’s request was not reconsidered, leaving his career uncertain for the meantime.

In retrospect, the SBP and PBA clearly had the legal right to bar him from playing in South Korea because of the limitations posed by his live contract. However, the situation escalated at the worst possible time, following PBA’s meeting with executives of the Japanese league and their Senate inquiry on the alleged poaching of local players.

As the rift between the federation and players reached its fever pitch, backlash erupted not just from fans but players alike. The heavy scrutiny the SBP received should have pushed them to rectify the situation immediately after Navarro’s KBL Signing, yet the organization failed to release any kind of resolution on the matter.

Getting back on track

From debacles such as the team’s devastating defeats, the blame game that followed, and Navarro’s plight, it has indeed been a tumultuous ride for Philippine Basketball. 

With just months left before the country’s hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the SBP needs to figure out how to regain the trust of both basketball players and fans. This will not be easy to achieve but it remains possible if the federation is able to resolve the issues through transparency, early action, and better communication.

Instead of fixating on their issue with Filipino athletes playing in international leagues, the SBP should instead focus on long-term preparations for Gilas Pilipinas. For instance, SBP can organize another fixed pool of players for the continued success of the national team—the key to their success under Coach Baldwin. 

Time can only tell if the SBP’s direction in the following months will finally bridge the disconnect between the organization, its players, and its fans. If they do pull off better management of Gilas, we might just see the former triumph of Philippines basketball once again–and hopefully, emerge victorious at the World Cup.