A Gilas stint remains to be the dream for Remy Martin.
The Filipino-American guard Martin, who will be representing Philippine-based Strong Group Athletics in the Jones Cup, said that it will be a dream come true for him if he plays for Gilas Pilipinas.
Speaking to reporters during the SGA open practice on Friday, the 6-foot guard Martin said that he hopes that he will be able to put on a Gilas jersey in the future.
‘I look at it as if I’m another player just trying to play for their country. I hope that one day, Gilas gives me the opportunity because that is my dream come true. That is bigger than making it to the NBA for me,’ he said.
‘I’ve been watching [Gilas] since I was young and always wanted to be on that type of platform,’ he added.
A big hurdle for Martin, however, is he was unable to get a Philippine passport before turning 16, which is a major FIBA requirement.
‘I hope the country and FIBA sees that I’ve been dual since… I just didn’t get my passport. I’ve just been dual. If I’m dual before 16, then we have a strong case for it,’ he said.
‘I think it’s just going through the right people and having people help me push it because there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be in a Gilas uniform. That is my dream.’
Another chance Martin could play for Gilas is in the Asian Games, where only a Philippine passport is required.
‘Like I said, everything about basketball, I think I’m good enough. I think I’m able to play at the highest level, but everything is system. If coach may feel like I don’t fit the team, then that’s on him. I understand it’s basketball and everybody wants us to win, but I think I’m one of the guys to help the Philippines win,’ he said.
‘I think that if I have the opportunity and it was up to me, I would have been playing in the Philippines for years now. If I have the opportunity, I will always take it.’
But for now, Martin will be representing the Philippines in the Jones Cup, with SGA aiming to win three straight championships in the tournament.
‘I think it was just perfect timing. I think like Coach Charles and SGA, we talked at a perfect time in my career. I just thought there hasn’t been too many people that’s won three-peats in the Jones Cup. I wanted to be one of the first to do that, especially in a Filipino uniform,’ he said.
‘I think we have a good team. I’m just here to show people that I care and I love playing and I love representing. I’ve been representing the Philippines since I was young, that’s all I know. I’m happy that I’m here and getting to do that.’
The last time a team won three straight championships in the tournament was Iran from 2009 to 2011.