Filipino cagers' exodus to overseas leagues a concern for SBP, says Sonny Barrios

There's a growing concern within the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) leadership as more players are deciding to bring their acts to overseas leagues, making it more challenging for the national team to assemble for international competitions.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios claimed that the federation plans to solve these issues in partnership with major stakeholders such as the PBA and top collegiate leagues in UAAP and NCAA.

"It's a concern. In fact, as part of the moving forward initiatives, pinagaaralan ngayon ng SBP together with major stakeholders," Barrios said in Tuesday's Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.

"When I say major stakeholders, these are organizations such as PBA, UAAP, [and] NCAA kung paano ma-address among others itong about juicy offers being forwarded to our potential national players."

Several players like brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena as well as Dwight Ramos, Kobe Paras, and Ray Parks Jr. have begun to try their luck abroad as they saw action in the Japan B. League. The latest to join them was Justine Baltazar, who recently signed with the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Jordan Heading and Jason Brickman are also competing in Taiwan’s T1 while SJ Belangel is reportedly set to strike a deal with Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

According to Barrios, these players are potential pieces for Gilas' campaign in the 2023 World Cup which the country is hosting alongside Japan and Indonesia.

"The journey of our team towards 2023 is both long and short. Long kasi hindi pa naman next month, short dahil it's 14 or 15 months to go," the official added.

"May mga tournaments na puro young ones, may tournament na may mixed of PBA players. So lahat 'yon kasama sa pagsusuri natin kung papano natin tatalakayin 'yung final portion of the preparation."

Barrios, though, said it's not only the SBP who are trying to solve this puzzle.

"Hindi natin sinosolo 'yung pagaiisip dyan. We are very inclusive in planning out how to move forward for this 2023 World Cup which we are hosting para nang sa ganon, ang ating buong bayan will support and be behind our Gilas Pilipinas team kasi alam nilang pinaghandaan nang mabuti 'yung tournament."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News