SBP seeks cooperation from PBA teams [1]

ABS-CBNnews.com | 02/22/2013 11:44 PM

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Pangilinan concerned with Thoss' status

MANILA, Philippines – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has asked for full cooperation from teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) following reports of Sonny Thoss' "observer" status in Gilas-Pilipinas' practice games.

SBP president Manny Pangilinan expressed concern over reports that the Alaska big man will only be allowed to fully participate in Gilas' practices after the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Pangilinan wanted to assemble the best lineup for Gilas Pilipinas for the coming FIBA Asia championship, and this means including Thoss in the team.

"Project natin lahat ito, para sa bayan at sa ating pagmamahal sa sport na basketball," he said in a Philboxing [12] report by Robbie Pangilinan.

“We hope Sonny can play for the team, he will be representing the country and be the pride of the Philippines,” added the Filipino sports patron.

Earlier, PBA commissioner Chito Salud proposed that each PBA club should lend at least one of its players to the national team.

But the Alaska management informed Salud that they can only loan one after the Commissioner's Cup or if they get eliminated early from the tournament.

As a result, Thoss can only watch and observe the national pool's weekly practices.

“I’ll be watching them. At least, if there’s anything new, I’ll know,” Thoss told Spin.ph [13]’s Richard Dy.

National coach Chot Reyes, for his part, said Thoss' "observer status" is better than not seeing the player during practices.

"That’s still better than not really practicing at all."