Jong Uichico has been to two Asian Games — 1994 in Hiroshima and 2002 in Busan — as well as to the FIBA Asia Championship in 2007, as a member of the coaching staff and as head coach.
And the multi-titled PBA mentor has seen the trend of having professional players suiting up for major Asian basketball tournaments through the years.
“There’s nothing wrong in sending professional players to international tournaments," said Uichico. “We’re not the only one doing that. In fact, most countries do. Japan, China, Korea are countries which have their own professional leagues and they keep sending professional players to international tournaments."
“So, I don’t see any reason why PBA players won’t be joining our national team. Before, when they established the program for Smart Gilas, they (SBP officials) were saying they will represent the country in future international tournaments, but they keep on going back to the old process, which is tapping PBA players."
For Uichico, head coach of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA, a young team like Smart Gilas will definitely need reinforcement.
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