MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard Chris Tiu did not hide his disappointment after Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) decided to pull out from the 2018 Asian Games next month in Indonesia.
The former national men’s basketball team member was stunned by the SBP’s decision not to send a representative to the quadrennial event.
“I’ll admit I’m disappointed with the turn of events,” Tiu posted on Twitter on Friday.
“Even if it wasn’t RoS, would be nice to have a competitive team in a sport we Filipinos are passionate about, especially in a multi-sporting event for the entire Asia that happens only once in 4 years,” he added.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagle was supposed to be part of the Philippine squad in the Asian Games after Painters was given the chance to make up the core of the delegation.
It would have been a perfect swan song for the 33-year-old Tiu, who was reportedly planning to retire from professional basketball by the end of the 2017-2018 PBA season.
But Painters is still ready to lend its players for the Asian Games if ever the SBP changes its mind, said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.
“Anytime OK iyong Rain or Shine. Kung gusto nilang magpadala bukas o mamaya, OK kami,” said Marcial. “All-out pa rin ang support ng Rain or Shine. All-out pa rin ang PBA.”
Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu seconded Marcial – in a separate interview, he said his team is just waiting for the SBP to make a turnaround.
“Like a good soldier, we’re willing and waiting,” Yu told Fox Sports Philippines. “But if ever we’ll go out there and compete, we want to form a more formidable team. Pahiramin sana kami ng players na malakas-lakas sana.”
Painters players along with three cadet players and seven others from different PBA teams were supposed to be included in the Asiad pool from which coach Yeng Guiao was supposed to form his 12-man roster.
But after the approval of Rain or Shine as Philippine representative to the quadrennial meet, the SBP released a surprising statement late Thursday night saying it was withdrawing its participation to the Asian Games./PN
