With just 18 days remaining before the 2017 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers raises its curtains, a total of 12 cagers were in attendance for SMART Gilas Pilipinas’ practice, Monday morning at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
Kiefer Ravena joined this batch of Gilas for the first time.
Veterans Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, June Mar Fajardo, Calvin Abueva, and Troy Rosario spearheaded the preps. Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy, Carl Cruz, and Kevin Alas also suited up while 2017 SEABA champions Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan rounded out the players present in the practice.
The workout happened behind closed doors yet again. Furthermore, it is still uncertain when will national team head coach Chot Reyes or anyone from the team’s higher-ups decide to open the daily sessions to the public.
Starting Monday, the team will have two practices a day.
The Nationals are prepping for their first game in the qualifiers on November 24 against Japan in Tokyo.