The road to the 2019 FIBA World Cup has resumed once again for the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team.
The Nationals went to practice in the Meralco Gym in Pasig City on Monday evening, for what was veteran mentor Yeng Guiao’s first session as the official head coach of the team.
San Miguel Beermen Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo, and Arwind Santos highlighted the attendees, followed by returnees Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario.
The likes of Matthew Wright, Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga, and JP Erram were also present alongside young guns Ricci Rivero and Kai Sotto.
As of this writing, Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle were not at the venue.
Players from the Magnolia Hotshots and Ginebra San Miguel such as Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, Greg Slaughter, and Japeth Aguilar were unavailable due to their teams’ ongoing playoff series against each other in the PBA Governor’s Cup.
The team is preparing for the upcoming fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers where it shall host Kazakhstan and Iran on November 30 and December 3 respectively, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With a current win-loss record of 5-3, the team seeks to maintain a top three position in Group F to book a ticket to the big dance in China next year.
Beforehand, though, Guiao’s men will have friendlies against Jordan and Lebanon to prepare themselves for the Kazakhstan and Iran fixtures.
The Nationals face Jordan on November 19 and 21, followed by Lebanon on November 23 and 25. All four games will be played at the Meralco Gym.
