NATIONAL coach Chot Reyes said once-a-week practices won’t hack it for Gilas Pilipinas but it’s better than not having to toughen up at all.
“It’s better than nothing. Better than before, but it’s still far from ideal,” Reyes said. “Pero ganoon naman talaga, that’s the problem we have with these windows.”
“It’s really, pardon my French, it’s really a (expletive) to prepare for,” he added.
The Filipino cagers are set to do battle on the road against Jordan on Nov. 10 and Saudi Arabia three days later.
Japan B. League standouts Dwight Ramos, brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. are expected to arrive to boost the training pool that started training with just 10 players last Monday night.
Among those who showed up were Chris Newsome of Meralco, who returned after being sidelined for several weeks because of contusion on his calf; and other PBA stars led by reigning MVP Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo of Ginebra, Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana and JP Erram of TNT, and Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort. Also showing up were collegiate cagers Kevin Quiambao of La Salle and Francis Lopez.
Reyes and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are waiting for 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto to heed the call of flag and country anew as San Miguel Beer star big man June Mar Fajardo is unavailable due to a throat surgery.
“FIBA has a directive to all the leagues around the world that players cannot be prevented from playing for their national teams,” Reyes said on the SBP website.
