What are you trying to prove?

This guy is too good not
to sign up for SMART Gilas II

Though the right words are being said, it's pretty obvious that the local basketball scene continues to be divided-- more today than before. San Miguel Corporation continues to hold back some of their employees (two of which are among the Philippine Basketball Association's best) from signing up with SMART Gilas 2, and now we're hearing talks of a B-Meg coach Tim Cone-former SMART Gilas I coach Rajko Toroman PBA All Stars gearing up to take on Yao Ming's Shanghai Sharks in the next few weeks.

First, this shouldn't even be an issue right now. Coach Tim and Coach Rajko are arguably two of the best and brightest bench tacticians in the country today. There's no argument to be made against them coaching the PBA All Stars, hell, even Talk 'n' Text/ SMART Gilas II head coach Chot Reyes would probably slide over for either of the two guys.
Okay, not really, but still.

Shouldn't the concern be why the SMC guys (Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, James Yap and Marc Pingris with the exception of surprise Gilas II pick Enrico Villanueva who probably signed his Letter of Intent right away in fear of Coach Chot being talked out of his odd selection) are taking their time with the Gilas II L.O.I.'s? It's not that hard. I'm an average basketball player but if I were to receive an e-mail or Tweet from Coach Chot asking me to play for flag and country or to simply be part of the team-- I'd sign right up in a heart beat. Stop with the politics, this is for Team Pilipinas and our Great Crusade in bringing Pinoy Basketball back to the Olympic stage.

Then there are guys such as SMC's ASEAN Basketball League's San Miguel Beermen's Chris Banchero and Junemar Fajardo. Guys who are young, highly skilled and potential PBA superstars who would rather play in the ABL than come over and risk being drafted by *gasp* a Manny V. Pangilinan team.

It doesn't even matter that SMC has made it a point to pull SMART Gilas I alumni from different teams (they are Noli Eala's babies after all), but the least they could do is let the guys play/ suit up again. They owe it to themselves as professional basketball players plying their trade in this great country. 

Hopefully, all these guys and those who're pulling the strings let them play for SMART Gilas II rather in pointless, meaningless, profit-driven exhibition matches. One country, one dream.