The 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Chenzhou, Hunan in China is set to raise its curtains less than a week from now. But head coach Chot Reyes admitted that as of now, a complete line-up has yet to be assembled.
And it’s all because the team is still figuring out which walk-in applicants can fit and complete the roster.
“Wala pa, still waiting. Kaya hindi kami maka-practice ng todo because we’re still trying to fit in the guys who are trying out,” unveiled Reyes Saturday night, after Chooks’ tune-up match versus the NLEX-SCTEX Road Warriors at Meralco Gym.
For now, Reyes shared that around nine players — import Isaiah Austin, Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, Jett Manuel, Francis Tamsi, Norbert Torres, Raymar Jose, La Revilla, and possibly Rod Ebondo — are strong shoo-ins for Chooks-to-Go.
“I think we have about nine, ten players now,” said the 54-year-old.
“We’re still waiting on CBC (Carl Bryan Cruz) and Terrence [Romeo].”
The players trying out for the team are PBA D-League cagers in Achie Iñigo, Gab Banal, JK Casiño, and Andre Paras, who are all coming off a stint with their respective ball clubs in the 2017 Foundation Cup.
Asked if there is a timetable of the roster completion, the multi-titled mentor honestly admitted that even he does not have any idea when.
“Nako. Baka nga pag-alis na namin,” Reyes quipped. “Ganun talaga. It is what it is. We just have to rely on our experience. We’ll rely sa ating abilidad, parang ginawa natin sa FIBA Asia ‘di ba. Baka ganun din yung situation dito.
“[We] just need to make sure the players are ready and willing to fight.”
