Gilas Pilipinas will enter its toughest game in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on February 22, as the Nationals face Australia, the 10th ranked team in the world, in Melbourne, Australia. However, Gilas has yet to receive clearance to practice daily from the PBA club teams.
“Constant usap yun with the Commissioner’s Office,” said coach Chot Reyes after Gilas’ fifth practice for the year. “Commissioner Willie [Marcial] was here and hopefully we get them starting February 12, at least one week before we leave.
“But again, that’s going to have to be a determination made by the PBA.”
According to the original agreement between the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the PBA, the league will release its players to Gilas 30 days before a tournament commences.
For Reyes, however, this is nothing new, as this was also the case when Gilas prepared for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon. The Philippines finished in seventh place during that tournament.
“Sanay na tayo diyan, umalis nga tayo for Beirut three days lang tayo nabuo. Sa Beirut nga lang kami nabuo di ba?,” the tactician pointed out.
“It is what it is.”
Besides this, the seniors squad has yet to be complete during the five sessions. Monday evening, Matthew Wright, Jio Jalalon, and Roger Pogoy sat out; Wright and Jalalon had ice packs wrapped around their knees.
Andray Blatche, the 14th player in the pool, has not yet arrived the country as his club team in the Chinese Basketball Association can only release him seven days from now.
“The CBA I think will release its players only on the 12th din or 13th. Hopefully, we’re trying to get his team to release him earlier but I think the official CBA window is February 12 to 26 ang release ng players,” Reyes lamented.
With all these obstacles, Gilas remains steadfast and ready to face a brand new challenge.
