GILAS Pilipinas is set to hit the ground running anew on June 1 to resume its preparations for the FIBA World Cup barely three months from now.
Time to toughen up for international competitions — or the lack of it — has always derailed the Filipino cagers’ bids in the past, but National coach Chot Reyes is convinced he could now whip his charges into one cohesive unit.
“One big obstacle that we’ve always wrestled with in the past is the schedule of games in the PBA, Japan or Korea,” Reyes said. “That obstacle is going to be cleared now because every other tournament in the world is going on pause for the World Cup.
“We’re thinking 16 to 18 players to make the final pool from which we’ll choose the final 12,” he added.
Gilas was drawn with Italy, Dominican Republic, and Angola in Group A of the blue-ribbon world cage spectacle set August 25 to Sept. 10 at home soil.
Another question gnawing at Reyes and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is who will be the team’s naturalized player. The choice is between NBA standout Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz and Ginebra resident PBA import Justin Brownlee.
Reyes said everything’s still up in the air.
“We still have not made the decision, like I said nobody has a lock on any slot, it is a real and honest statement, not even Justin or Jordan,” Reyes said. “Economics is also going to be an issue so there are a lot of things involved for the final determination.”
There are unconfirmed reports that Clarkson is asking for millions of pesos to suit up for Gilas.
After returning to practice, Reyes said he is eyeing a training camp in Europe and quality tune-up games for the national team training pool.
“We will make announcements kapag na-finalize na ang schedule, but for now the resumption of practice (is) on June 1,” he said. “We’re putting together the final details of the training camp sa Europe and some tune up matches.”
Reyes guided Gilas, boosted by Brownlee, in its successful mission to regain the gold medal in the recently concluded 32nd Southeast Asian Games last week in Cambodia.
Gilas, then under strategist Yeng Guiao, fell to Italy (62-108) and Angola in overtime (81-84) in the World Cup in China in 2019.
With strategist Tab Baldwin handling the squad, the Philippine five lost to the Dominican Republic 67-94 in the Olympic qualifying tournament two years ago.
