Unlike Arnold Van Opstal, who was cut from the Gilas Pilipinas cadet program due to multiple absences, rookie Jonathan Grey and sophomore Bradwyn Guinto were ousted from the national team pool due to a reason beyond their control.
A blockbuster trade last May that sent Grey, who was Meralco’s first round pick in the 2016 PBA Draft, and Guinto, NLEX’s representative to Gilas, to Globalport forced Gilas to select new players from Meralco and NLEX to be part of the program.
Though disappointed with the predicament they were in, the two cagers seemed to have moved on, visiting Gilas’ HQ, the Meralco Gym, on Monday night to watch the cadets’ practice.
“Nag-text kami ni Bradwyn kanina. Ako nagsabi sa kanya na pupunta ako kaya dumaan na rin siya,” Grey, 24, shared.
Grey was invited by SMART Sports’ Yvette Ruiz to drop by on Monday night and he did not hesitate to accept the invitation, as both he and Guinto missed the competitive atmosphere and the brotherhood formed within this batch of Gilas.
“Namiss ko yung maa kasama ko rito kasi medyo close na rin ako kayla Mike [Tolomia], Ed [Daquioag] e. Na-miss ko sila kaya nakipagchikahan lang din,” Grey admitted.
“I really want to practice nga eh. I should have brought my clothes,” added Guinto, who was in civilian.
Though the two are currently committed to the Globalport Batang Pier, they are still hopeful that they can at least train with the national team pool in preparation for the 2017 SEA Games and FIBA Asia Cup.
“I texted Sir Butch [Antonio] that if they need extra bodies just let me know,” the 6-foot-6 Filipino-Australian said.
“Gusto ko rin talaga,” Grey added.
“Iba pa rin yung nag-re-represent ka ng country e. Masaya maglaro dito.”
