The amount of players present on Thursday night in Gilas Pilipinas’ practice session at the Meralco Gym was low, as only 10 players were in uniform. Even TNT Katropa back-up Mike Myers, U-18 FIBA 3×3 player AJ Edu, and 19-year-old Filipino-Malaysian Zach Benares had to suit up to increase the bodies for the practice.
However, head coach Chot Reyes fully understands the reasons behind it.
“It’s all part of the process,” said the 53-year-old mentor.
But, the five-time Coach of the Year is expecting that the turnout among players in the coming days and weeks will improve, as a handful of pool members will finally come back home and participate in the sessions.
“On Tuesday, Kobe [Paras] and Kiefer [Ravena] should be here, so that’s important,” said Reyes of the two second-generation cagers, who are fresh from their FIBA 3X3 World Championships run in Nantes, France.
“We expect a more complete line-up already. I think [Christian] Standhardinger is arriving on Tuesday as well, or baka on Wednesday pa,” added about the 6-foot-8 Filipino-German.
As the decorated tactician expects the number of players to be higher in the coming weeks, Reyes’ focus for the team, aside from getting some of them to being accustomed into the system, is form them into a cohesive unit.
“For this next couple of weeks, it’s all about getting them together,” said the 24-year veteran coach.
“Tuesday na [ulit]. We have a long weekend coming, we’re gonna give everybody off and be back on Tuesday.”
