TRUST the process.
That’s the mindset Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes wants his wards to embrace in their preparations for the FIBA World Cup.
After playing in four tune-up games so far in Estonia and Lithuania, Reyes admitted it’s still a long way to go – but they are getting there.
“We’re still a long way off. But we are not programmed to be at the top level at this point. This is part of the learning process,” Reyes said. “Overall, I think the four games we’ve played have delivered what we expected for us to be able to learn a lot about each other.
“To be able to learn what we need to work on and get us into competitive shape while playing against quality competition,” he added.
The Philippine five dropped its first two exhibition matches against Estonia 71-81 and Finland 85-89 last week in Tallinn but redeemed itself with a pair of victories against Ukraine’s Under-20 squad 70-61 and 84-74 in Kaunas.
Reyes is also pleased with the continuing progress of former six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and fellow big man Japeth Aguilar.
Fajardo and Aguilar came off MCL and knee injuries, respectively.
“These guys were coming off injuries, they were nowhere near competitive basketball shape. Little by little, we’re seeing now their legs coming back, their conditioning,” Reyes said.
“For me, that is the most fundamental of all fundamentals– stamina and conditioning.”
How the Filipino cagers take to heart the lessons in their build up would spell the big difference in their bid in the blue-ribbon world cage spectacle the country is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.
“Every game is a learning experience for us,” he said. “We should be able to pick up lessons and continuously move forward.”
Gilas was drawn with Italy, Dominican Republic, and Angola in Group A of the World Cup.
The nationals need to finish at least in the top two at the end of the group stage to advance to the next round and hopefully boost their bid of becoming the best placed Asian squad to directly qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
