EXPECT a tough Gilas Pilipinas side in the FIBA World Cup kicking off 10 days from now.
“I think the most important part I felt was we showed a lot of toughness (in China),” National coach Chot Reyes said. “We were able to work on integrating other guys, who were not with us in Europe, like Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana and Ray Parks.
“I think that was very important and finally, getting actual court time for AJ Edu,” he added.
The Filipino cagers open their bid against the Dominican Republic on Aug. 25 at the cavernous Philippine Arena in the opener of the world cage spectacle.
Gilas takes on Angola two days later at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and winds up its Group A campaign against Italy on Aug. 29 also at the Big Dome.
“Alam ko na the road has not been easy, mahirap, maraming pangyayari na hindi naman natin inaasahan pero ganun talaga ang buhay hindi lang sports, but even life is like that,” he said.
“Maski anong planong gawin mo, talagang magkakaroon ng aberya. Pero ginagawan talaga natin ng paraan. Really, hats off to our players, grabe ang kanilang commitment, grabe ang dedication nila.”
Despite missing the likes of NBA standout Jordan Clarkson, prized big man Kai Sotto, and reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong last week, the Philippine five finished with a 3-1 mark in a development seen as big boost to its preparations for the prestigious tilt the country is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia.
