Gilas Manager Alfrancis Chua Praises Gilas Players:
Gilas Pilipinas Team Manager Alfrancis Chua revealed interesting characteristics of the winning Gilas squad in a press conference. He revealed that the gold medal-winning team in the Asian Games never asked about money when they answered the call to play for the national team.
The former PBA Head Coach and the current San Miguel Corporation Sports Director, Alfrancis Chua, lauded the Gilas squad. They praised their gestures to help the Philippines regain the glory days of basketball in Asia.
However, he also revealed that two players were under consideration to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Still, they never made the team because they asked for a hefty price to play for the national men’s basketball team in ASIAD.
The statement of Alfrancis Chua was also confirmed by PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas during Monday’s press conference at the league office, a day after the triumphant return of the Gilas squad here in the Philippines for their historic gold-medal run.
Gilas Pilipinas officials who helped behind the scenes in the successful redemption of the Philippines in the Asian Games basketball were adamant that one of the things that made the group special was that all the players never asked for a single centavo to be part of the hastily formed team that ended the country’s 61-year drought in the competition.
Alfrancis Chua was quoted saying “Yung 12 players na ‘yun, actually 16 [kasama ‘yung apat], tinawagan ko ‘yan isa-isa dahil we need to practice right away. Ni isang player doon, walang tinanong sa akin kung magkano ang bayad sa amin, magkano ang allowance. Wala,” said Chua.
PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, on his part, revealed that there were two players whom they didn’t identify and no longer considered by Chua and Coach Tim Cone because he claimed they asked a stiff price to be part of the team.
Gilas Players’ Dedication and Desire to Win the Gold:
The PBA Chairman also added that he is proud of the players of Gilas Pilipinas who ended the country’s six-decade wait for an Asian Basketball gold medal, praising the team for their dedication and desire to play for the national team without asking for anything in return.
Chairman Vargas said, “It was a battle cry for us. We will play because you truly love to play and you want to play. We are not forcing you. That was our first statement to them,” said Vargas.
Gilas Team Manager Alfrancis Chua then echoed Chairman Vargas’ statement and added further that ““They didn’t ask [for anything]. Kaya bilib na bilib ako … Pag gusto naming kunin ‘yung iba, ang unang tanong sa amin magkano. Kaya sabi ko, ‘Huwag na. Hindi natin kailangan ‘yan.’ We are just going to play. That’s why we are proud of these players. Even [Justin] Brownlee. Even [Ange] Kouame. Wala. Wala silang hiningi. They just want to win,” said Chua.
Watch the Interview with Alfrancis Chua:
Disclaimer: PhilNews.XYZ articles and their external content are not financial advice but are only used for educational purposes. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) first. The team serves to deliver unbiased news with less intrusive ads.
