Just as they did prior to the 2017 SEABA Championships, SMART Gilas Pilipinas will once again head to Tagaytay, this time as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
As of this posting, the Nationals are now headed to the said province after a light practice, Monday morning at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
“It’s a part of the practice,” said head coach Chot Reyes of their Tagaytay session.
“I don’t think it’s going to be smart if we lay out our plans kasi pinapanood tayo ng kalaban. We’re just going up and we’ll practice. That’s all.”
But Reyes revealed that the main objective of their Tagaytay trip is to build up chemistry — something that was put into question after SMART Gilas absorbed a 76-81 defeat against ABL team Tanduay Alab Pilipinas last Saturday.
“Like I said, para kaming ‘di marunong mag-basketball the last game. Chemistry is only chemistry when things are clicking. But when things are not clicking, there’s no chemistry to speak of,” said the outspoken mentor, “Hopefully we’ll be able to work on that when we go up there in Tagaytay.”
But aside from chemistry, Reyes also shared that facets such as rebounding and defense are also among the team’s priorities in the three-day trip — the things, again, that they lacked during Saturday’s tune-up.
“We’re not worried so much about our offense,” said Reyes.
“It is the other things.”
