In the end, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios took into account the interest of the country in coming up with a crucial decision concerning the RP-Smart Gilas team’s participation in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.
Sonny Barrios
Given two options by the Board, Barrios decided to alter instead the arrangement of the nationals’ participation in the season-opening meet, rendering all their games – past and future – as no-bearing, instead of not allowing big man CJ Giles to see action in the team’s remaining games. “We recognize that CJ Giles is a very vital part of the national team, the reason why he is considered as a candidate for naturalization for Filipino citizen. “He is seen as the 'good big man' the country sorely lacks to be able to compete with the powerhouse teams in Asia today. It will not help the team’s cause if Giles is not allowed to play with the team," Barrios explained. The commissioner bared the new set-up Thursday after hearing complaints from governors over the unpredictable playing minutes of the 6-foot-11 Giles, the observations from a former national coach and the remarks from players alike. Giles, the man being groomed for naturalization to backstop the RP team in its quest to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012, saw action for merely five minutes on Oct. 21 in Smart Gilas’ last game against Talk ‘N Text, which romped off with a lopsided 103-70 victory. Governors immediately questioned the move by coach Rajko Toroman the following day, wondering why the Serbian mentor benched his intimidating inside force against the Tropang Texters, whose owner, Manny V. Pangilinan, is also the president of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, the governing body for amateur basketball that bankrolls the RP Team. Barrios likewise took into account the observation of Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, the national coach when the PBA competed in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
Following Ginebra’s 100-72 win over Smart Gilas, Uichico was quoted as saying: “It is unfortunate that the PBA teams play the national team always looking to win." And the best way to help the RP team, according to Uichico, is to "take away the ‘we have to win attitude’ and give the PBA teams the opportunity to simulate the patterns of the clubs that RP Team will be facing in international tournaments." The PBA also arrived at a common thought that since games before by Smart Gilas had effect on the win-loss standings of the PBA teams, the level of intensity against the Nationals have been at a level that results in physicality and ruggedness. That was the clear case when the Nationals met Burger King last Oct. 16, the unforgettable match-up that led to the infamous mauling by Wynne Arboleda of a court-side fan – Alain Katrigbac - and the four flagrant-one fouls the Whopper committed in the first half. Arboleda was subsequently banned for the rest of the season without pay and is now facing charges of physical injuries.
We are convinced that it is in everyone’s best interest if both teams go into the game with the same mindset that the game has no bearing. Both Smart Gilas and the PBA opposing team, and their players, will thus be on equal footing as far as their outlook and approach of the game are concerned. 
– Sonny Barrios, PBA Commissioner
“Some players have pointed out that the different treatment almost always means a difference in the level of intensity that may give rise to physical play and unwanted incidents," Barrios said. By this new decision, the games won by Talk ‘N Text, Burger King and Ginebra over the Nationals have been nullified. The Texters and the Gin Kings now have similar 2-1 (win-loss) records with the Whopper falling to 1-2. “We are convinced that it is in everyone’s best interest if both teams go into the game with the same mindset that the game has no bearing. Both Smart Gilas and the PBA opposing team, and their players, will thus be on equal footing as far as their outlook and approach of the game are concerned," Barrios said. Smart Gilas, which has never yet won a game, next sees action on Nov. 6 against the Coca-Cola Tigers. Barrios dispelled concerns by the SBP that the PBA teams would not take the games seriously now that they have no bearing. “Just as you assured us that Smart Gilas will be prepared to play every game competitively and passionately, we also guarantee that our PBA teams will give the national teams the competition they need to toughen up for the bigger hardcourt wars ahead," he said.
- GMANews.TV 
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