To say that Filipinos were disappointed with Gilas Pilipinas’ performance in the 2026 Asian Games may be an understatement.
The Philippines suffered its worst finish in Asian Games history, finishing in ninth place and missing out on the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006. At that time, the nation was suspended by FIBA for the squabble between the Basketball Association of the Philippines (the former national governing body of basketball before the formation of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) and the Philippine Olympic Committee. To be close to that performance-wise once again is quite embarrassing.
The issue wasn’t just a matter of debate between those who were involved with Philippine basketball as it also became the subject of debate even in the Philippine Senate.
Basketball is so ingrained in Philippine culture that anyone and everyone is affected, and failure at the international level invites the usual talk about how basketball is not meant for Filipinos and how the country should focus on other sports. While the notion has its merits, there’s still space for basketball and other sports to be a priority, so long as those in charge of devoting time, talent, and resources don’t put their own interests first.
The players aren’t at fault for this situation, and at most, the blame cannot be put squarely on them. They made sacrifices when joining the team and while their performances left for wanting, they nonetheless left it all on the court. In this case, management and the coaching staff have more control over what could have been done in the 2026 Asian Games.
The Asian Games is not part of the FIBA international calendar (because the games are organized by the Olympic Council of Asia and not FIBA itself), and so professional teams from Japan and Korea are not inclined to lend their Filipino players to “help” a rival nation.
The SBP and the coaching staff may want to consider using the Asian Games and in turn, the SEA Games, as an opportunity to develop the younger talent while also fielding multiple naturalized players (as the rules allow). National pride is what primarily drives Gilas’ intentions to go as all out as they can for both competitions, but in the grand scheme of international basketball, it will not raise the Philippines’ FIBA ranking nor will it give the country direct qualification to the Olympic games (although if that is going to be an incentive, the Asian Games is worth pursuing).
Letting the younger Gilas Pilipinas prospects get a glimpse of regional competitions could prepare them for when the games will matter more. After all collegiate leagues such as the UAAP are willing to adjust their schedules for national interest. Playing the long game, while still fielding an Asian Games squad isn’t a bad idea, especially if it’s clear that the goal is to reap the benefits in the long run.
And then there’s the PBA.
To be fair to the PBA, they have made concessions by adjusting their schedule to accommodate the FIBA international events, the Asian Games, and the SEA Games. But at this point, this is already the bare minimum. The league needs to make more long-term adjustments, especially since peers once behind them (and have other sports the value more than basketball) are now ahead of them.
Salaries that are closer to those offered abroad and a more competitive playing field that goes beyond the same cast of characters winning would improve the level of play. Moreover, fewer conferences and the removal of import restrictions could help players get more familiarity with the current state of play.
After all, most of Asia has adjusted to modern basketball rather than the other way around. They have made the most out of what the rules allow them do, especially in these Asian Games, while the Philippines decided to send who they could. The players did their best with the circumstances, but maybe the same can’t be said for the ones above them.
