From Monday morning’s 12, 13 players were in attendance for SMART Gilas Pilipinas’ practice session for the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on a humid Tuesday morning, still at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
Filipino-Canadian sharpshooter Matthew Wright was the glaring addition to Tuesday’s session, as he was not able to attend yesterday’s morning workouts due to his commitment with mother team Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Veterans Jayson Castro, June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Troy Rosario, Calvin Abueva, Raymond Almazan, and Allein Maliksi led the preps, while younger wards Kiefer Ravena, Mac Belo, Carl Cruz, Roger Pogoy, and Kevin Alas joined them.
Japeth Aguilar and Terrence Romeo — who showed up in Monday night’s practice but were clad in street clothes and were on the sidelines — did not attend the morning session.
The Nationals are preparing for their November 24 showdown with Japan in a rigorous manner, as they are working twice a day until Saturday of this week.