Things aren’t going as planned for Gilas Pilipinas heading into the third window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Besides not getting a chance to have daily practices this time around, some of the national team athletes have been embattled. Kiefer Ravena has been suspended until August of 2018 while Calvin Abueva was also suspended by his mother club Alaska Aces.
Abueva, who is averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game in the qualifiers, has been religiously attending Gilas’ practice sessions. However, the lack of game repititions have been showing.
“Well nakita niyo, he is struggling during the scrimages. He is not in game shape,” lamented head coach Chot Reyes.”He hasn’t been playing for two weeks. His timing is off and is not as sharp. That’s what not playing does to you.”
One of the bright spots Gilas had so far was having Andray Blatche arrive earlier than expected. The naturalized Filipino has been in the country since June 9 and is leaner compared to the last time he was here during the second window.
But it had been a month since he last played a competitive basketball game.
“His arrival helped in the sense that he is already here and he has been working out. As against before na he was injured or playing with his Chinese Team, the good thing with that was that he was in game shape. Now he is not in game shape at all,” added Reyes.
“Hopefully, him coming early will bode well for us.”
Pressed for time, Reyes is hoping that they could cram everything when they get to Taipei on the 25th. Once they arrive, Gilas will have practices and sessions for four straight days before facing the hosts on the 29th.
“Crucial talaga yung three practices namin in Taipei.”
