Looking back, Gilas was invited last April to play for the Philippine Cup right before their stint in FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament but was postponed due to COVID-19.

Nevertheless, at that time, the SBP program director and head coach Tab Baldwin affirmed the ‘possibility’ of joining the league.

“The invitation has always been there, always open,” he said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

While the Gilas is looking forward to the 2022 FIBA World Cup, 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Asian Games in Hangzhou, China; the PBA, on the other hand, is preparing to open the Governors’ Cup on November 28 where the national team is welcome.

“We welcome that, ‘no, especially to be able to see ‘yung Gilas team natin, maglaro sa PBA,” said Vargas. 

“Sa ngayon wala pa kaming naririnig sa SBP, but ‘yung offer na ‘yun, laging nandoon,” he added.