After Asian Games success, Alfrancis Chua says future with Gilas is in SBP’s hands

Alfrancis Chua during a press conference at the PBA Office in Quezon City.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Credited for being one of the prime movers in the Philippines’ return to the Asian Games’ basketball summit, Alfrancis Chua leaving his future with the national basketball program in the hands of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

“For now, I’m not thinking about it,” he said in Filipino on Monday during a press briefing held at the Philippine Basketball Association’s office in Libis, Quezon City.

“The SBP has many figures. This (involvement) accidentally happened because PBA chair (Ricky Vargas) and my namesake (SBP president Al Panlilio) reached out and asked that we handle this together. That’s why we referred (to this collaboration) ‘Voltes V.’ That’s it.”

“But for what’s the plan now, I say there’s none because that’s the (SBP)’s thing.”

Chua, a governor in the PBA board and San Miguel Corp. sports director was reeled in to help out in the campaign in the aftermath of the Fiba World Cup. He was named team manager as part of the fulfillment of a condition raised by Tim Cone.

MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

On the heels of a golden Asian Games run, Filipino basketball fans are eager to know how the basketball leaders intend to navigate the program’s future, especially with a number of Fiba tournaments on the horizon.

Chua, for his part, suggested that the basketball leaders and stakeholders align their calendars to determine the composition of the teams that will be sent to these looming tournaments, which includes the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for a berth to the next year’s Summer Games in Paris.

“Actually, we were still in China and I was already telling them that we have to plan (for it) now. Celebrations are done. We’ve got the gold. But we have to plan for what’s about to come,” Chua said.

“We have to check schedules—what’s the PBA’s schedule is going to look like, or who’s going to be plucked from the PBA since (the season’s going to run until) February. Are we going to get from the UAAP? From the NCAA? Those (scenarios) are no laughing matter. We have to plan.”