SBP taps SMC’s Alfrancis Chua as Gilas Pilipinas executive advisor

San Miguel Corp. sports director and Brgy. Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua has been tapped by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) as executive advisor for Gilas Pilipinas.

According to sources, the appointment of Chua happened during a meeting among SBP stakeholders at the PLDT office on Monday where national team program director and head coach Chot Reyes also presented his plans for Gilas for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup which will be co-hosted by the country together with Japan and Indonesia.

While Chua has yet to formally accept the position, sources claimed that the top-ranking SMC official has already committed to the development of Gilas and the formation of the best team possible for the 32-nation tournament.

The appointment came more than a month after SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang had a closed-door meeting with First Pacific Company Limited managing director and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan at the SMC headquarters in Ortigas, Pasig City.

Chua was among those present along with SBP president and PLDT chief Al S. Panlilio and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.

Aside from the stronger partnership forged by the SMC and MVP groups, Panlilio asked the other stakeholders of Philippine basketball for all-out support of the national team and the country’s first hosting of the quadrennial meet since 1978.

Meanwhile, Reyes named the best players from the PBA, UAAP, NCAA and from other international leagues with the ultimate goal of reclaiming the SEAG gold in basketball, performing well in the FIBAWC qualifiers and eventually in the tournament proper which is set from August 25 to September 10, 2023.