While the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the second window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and some of the 23 for 2023 cadets, converge at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City on Monday night, one of the program’s mainstays will not be around.
Almond Vosotros, Gilas’ loyal soldier, had just arrived in Thailand earlier this week. The 27-year-old gunner has been signed by Mono Thew, the sister team of ABL club Mono Vampire BC, and will play in the Thailand Basketball League.
Though the decision to play in another country was tough to make, the 5-foot-10 guard knows that he had to do this for his family and his future.
“Kailangan ko mag-perform kasi habang naghihintay ako sa PBA team na magtitiwala sa akin, mas maganda yung naglalaro ako.
“Medyo matagal din ako dito kasi four-months ang pinirmahan kong kontrata,” Vosotros told Tiebreaker Times.
The 13th overall pick in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft last played a PBA game back in July 22, 2016. But the Gilas cadet kept active by joining the National Team’s practice sessions, rarely missing the team’s training.
His efforts bore fruit, as he was part of the Gilas team that played in the 2017 Jones Cup and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. Moreover, he was part of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas team that played in the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
With the wealth of experience he has, Mono will have high expectations on him.
“Ayun nga lang, medyo iba na kasi mataas nga yung tingin nila sa mga Pilipino na player tapos ako, ang alam pa nila National Team player ako,” the two-time SEA Games gold medalist shared.
“Kailangan ko talaga mag-perform every game kasi kinuha nila ako dito as an Asian import.”
For his part, his goal is to extract every ounce of experience he can get to toughen him up when he comes back home.
“Malala
