The team that will represent the Philippines in the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge Cup was finalized early Friday morning with Blackwater Elite guard Almond Vosotros and Racal Tile Master Jonathan Grey being relegated to the injury reserve slots.
“It was a tough decision. All of them are deserving to be in the lineup and i’ts a shame we can only pick 12,” Gilas 5.0 head coach Josh Reyes said Friday evening after the team held its first practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
The short preparation time for the tournament to be held in Tehran, Iran from September 9 to 18 forced Reyes and his staff to pick players who have already familiarized themselves with his system the fastest.
“Because of the limitations in preparation time, I picked the players who are comfortable with the system already,” the young mentor shared.
“I’d like to limit the guys that we have to teach the system to.”
With veteran cadet player Almond Vosotros still awaiting clearance from his club team Blackwater Elite and with little time to wait, the final cut came down to 6’2 all-around guard from Lyceum of the Philippines University CJ Perez and 6’3 gunslinger Jonathan Grey, who last played for PBA D-League club team Racal Tile Masters.
“It really came down between CJ and Jonathan,” he furthered. “I felt that CJ was more comfortable running the point. Eventually Jonathan will be up to speed na rin with more practices with us.”
“Since wala si Jio [Jalalon], I felt that I needed more guards who can break people down of the dribble faster. So we decided to give the others a chance to get a good look at them.”
With the 22 year old Perez at the helm, Reyes is hoping that he can maximize the potential of the former San Sebastian Stag and Ateneo Team Glory Be member to the fullest at the one position.
CJ Perez played just 12 minutes in his Team A debut for the Blue Eagles (Peter Baltazar – Sports on Air)
“He’s had the experience being a point guard in the past. It’s not like this is going to be his first time playing the point,” the second-generation national team head coach furthered.
“But it’s a process even with my time with Jayson [Castro]. Rnning the point in this offense was a process.
“He will learn through time and experience.”
