Even with a lineup wanting in more personnel from the Philippine Basketball Association, Gilas Pilipinas still made heads turn in the Fiba Asia Olympic Qualifier in Changsha, China.

The attention that Gilas is getting is not only in the continent, but all over the world as well with the Filipinos’ gung-ho attitude taking Team Philippines to heights many thought weren’t possible.

But, as things stand at the moment, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the body that runs international cage affairs of the country, is not keen on sending this batch of gritty Gilas Nationals to the next qualifying event for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

And, according to SBP vice-chair Ricky Vargas, the PBA’s help in supporting Gilas as far as personnel are concerned “has never been dependable.”

“It’s hard to give hope to the Filipino people who have supported Gilas and tell them that we will use PBA players so that we can form the best team possible,” Vargas, possibly Manny V. Pangilina’s most trusted lieutenant, said.

“There’s no certainty of us getting the best players (from the PBA) and we have never been given time to prepare,” Vargas said.

Vargas, shirt of questioning the league’s sincerity, pointed out to the two-month time frame into which Gilas was able to use to be able to play in China.

The team was formed last Aug. 3 and went into the Jones Cup just two weeks later ad finished second. After that, it was all cramming for the Nationals as they went to Cebu for a five-day secluded camp before flying to Changsha.

Vargas was also probably reacting that way after reading reports that came out on Sunday that the PBA is willing to amend its schedule for the coming 41st Season just to be able to accommodate Gilas for the wild card event.

Talking for the PBA were board chairman Robert Non of San Miguel Beer, league President Chito Salud and newly-appointed commissioner Chito Narvasa.

“How can they even make that commitment, when it has been proven time and again that the team owners are the ones making the call (in lending players)?” Vargas asked.

“Thank you very much if they want to help,” he went on.

“But at the end of the day, the Commissioner’s Office has not been able to help us. They keep on saying that we have the full support (of the PBA) and we still only get two months of practice because the PBA is on-going.”

The SBP executive did not go on to the extend of naming names, but before the Fiba Asia, coach Tab Baldwin had come up with a list reportedly of 26 players to make up the pool.

That list was never released as Baldwin reportedly got shut down by either the players themselves – who complained of injuries and other reasons – and team owners themselves.

June Mar Fajardo, the reigning two-time PBA MVP of San Miguel Beer, complained of plantar fasciaitis on both feet and begged off, becoming the first no-brainer for Gilas inclusion to not accept Baldwin’s invitation.

LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra, Paul Lee and Jeff Chan of Rain or Shine are the other notable players who didn’t make it to the pool, with Lee and Chan not given the release by Elasto Painters’ management.

The SBP admitted that it still doesn’t have an idea on the penalties that the Fiba could slap on the country if it does not play in the wild card event.

That is why, Vargas said, the SBP is toying with the idea of forming another Gilas cadet program coming from the collegiate and commercial ranks, with the qualifying tournament to be its first test.

“But all is that is still up in the air now,” Vargas said. “If the penalties (for not playing) are too harsh, then we will form the Cadet program to play in the wild card.”

After failing to land an outright berth with a 78-67 loss to the Chinese in the gold medal match on Saturday, the Filipinos are now left with a slimmer option by going through the wild card.

The wild card will be made up of 18 countries, which will be divided into three groups and will play in three countries to be announced in November.

Vargas said that hosting one of those legs is also out of the equation now.

Only three Olympic slots will be disputed in the wild card, which will run from July 4-10, which, Vargas pointed out, will be almost at the same time as that of the Governors’ Cup Finals of the PBA.

“That is a problem in itself already,” Vargas said.