If this roadblock gets fixed, the national team will have an easier time building a complete squad.
If it's up to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, he'd adjust the league calendar for the benefit of Gilas Pilipinas. Actually, they did just that for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The league is on break since the final game of the PBA Governors' Cup last April 21, and the 48th season won't start until the national team's duty is over. The next season is scheduled to open in October.
Because of that adjustment, the PBA will only have two conferences this year. Again, not a problem for Marcial. The PBA official even said that they are willing to implement two conferences every season for the sake of Gilas Pilipinas.
However, that hasn't come to fruition more often because the international games have been sporadic, and the national team can't pinpoint exactly when they need to be assembled during the time when the PBA board meets to discuss and plot its calendar.
Marcial is planning to remedy that with a sit-down with coach Chot Reyes.
"Magmi-meeting kami ni coach Chot sa June kung ano talagang plano niya para alam natin kailangan ba kailangan ang PBA, kailan kailangan 'yung mga players natin, para maplano natin," Marcial told Noli Eala on the program Power and Play.
"Edi kung ganyan, two conference na lang tayo, kung hindi naman, kung pasundut-sundot ka lang pwede tayong mag-three conferences."
Another problem is, even FIBA itself can't give the exact schedule of tournaments.
"Kahit FIBA hindi masabi sa amin kung kailan ang eksaktong laro, kahit buwan, hindi nila masabi. Ang hirap i-adjust," Marcial added.
That seems to be the only hindrance for the PBA. If that gets fixed—fingers crossed—then Gilas won't be scrambling for pool members anymore.
"Sana maibigay sa atin 'yung eksakto, makakagawa tayo ng magandang schedule."