SMART Gilas Pilipinas’ preparations for the second leg of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers were not as smooth as many wanted them to be.
Players from the pool were not released by their PBA club teams up until Monday, while some figured in injuries.
That is why when Gilas head coach Chot Reyes unveiled the 14-man pool that will be sent to Melbourne, Australia, there were a couple of suprises.
One was 23 for 2023 cadet Abu Tratter, while the other was the decision to bring back Calvin Abueva.
Reyes, who is the president of ESPN5 as well, disclosed to SportsCenter Philippines why he had to bring in the two in lieu of Mac Belo and Troy Rosario.
“Some of the original guys that we had in mind got injured like Mac Belo, Troy Rosario, then you all know that Raymond Almazan stopped coming to practices so we had to drop him as well,” he shared.
Moreover, Reyes shared that he had a change of heart regarding Abueva, who had been cut from the pool with Almazan last January 22. Seeing the utility forward help the team made him realize how badly Abueva wanted to fight with his brothers-in-arms.
“Despite the fact that alam ni Calvin na hindi siya makakasama sa second window, palagi pa rin ang punta niya sa practice,” Reyes pointed out proudly.
“Wala kang maririnig sa kanya and he showed that he is committed.”
Despite the tall task of facing the 10th-ranked team in the world Australia on Thursday, Reyes asserted that they are ready. Having been in this predicament before, the veteran tactician knows that they will show puso when they face their toughest test yet.
“Hindi kami nagkukulang sa aming effort at sa commitment,” he stressed.
“Kulang kami sa oras, kulang kami sa preparasyon pero yung laban namin nandun pa rin.”
