Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes expressed satisfaction with what he saw from the the 23 for 2023 who took part in the Nationals’ resumption of practices, Monday at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.
“I was very pleased with the kind of engagement that I saw,” said Reyes, who saw Isaac Go, Thirdy Ravena, Kemark Carino, Paul Desiderio, J-jay Alejandro, Javee Mocon, Robert Bolick, Juan Gomez De Liano, Will Gozum, CJ Perez, and Jeo Ambohot in action.
The young guns though was put to the test immediately, as Reyes made them run drills similar to what the veterans have been doing. The veteran strategist bared that he did it on purpose so as to see who can learn the system quickly.
“We purposely are making them do things quickly because we’re trying to see who can pick up very quickly. Kaya kagaya nun, konting runs, konting sets lang, sinabak na agad namin sila sa ginagawa ng vets,” said Reyes.
“Like I told them, that’s my expectation of them cause they’re the best of the best.
“They’re the cream of the crop so ang pag-pick up sa kanila dapat very quick. That’s why were trying to do these things,” he furthered.
And judging from what he saw from this crop of players as far as skills are concerned, Reyes praised the neophytes’ ability to shoot the basketball — something that he and Gilas have been wishing to have for the program.
“[We] have tall players who can still play, run, and shoot at the same time. Somebody was mentioning in the shooting drills na lahat nakaka-shoot ah. That’s the reason why they’re here,” Reyes shared.
“They were all chosen for their shooting ability.”
The amount of talent that gathered inside the Meralco Gym that Monday was truly high. So for now, what Reyes and his deputies are looking at is to make the young cagers work out with their older counterparts weekly.
“For now, thats the plan util we can come up with a more regular, more definite schedule. As I’ve said, this is far from fixed. Ang gusto lang namin masimulan, maumpisahan. Done is better than perfect,” said the decorated Reyes.
“This is far from a perfect plan, but at least, we got it done, we got it started. Yun ang importante.”
