Kai Sotto and Ricci Rivero will get their audition to see if they are ready to make it to Gilas’ elite squad next week.
According to Team Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao, Sotto, who is part of Batang Gilas, and Rivero, who is a member of the Gilas Cadets, will be part of the tune-up games the team will have next week against Jordan.
“I guess it’s a chance for me to use Kai Sotto and Ricci Rivero.”
The Gilas-Jordan series will be held on November 19 and 21 at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
During the two practices of the squad, both Rivero and Sotto have been punctual and actively participated in the sessions. Joining them are Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Christian Standhardinger, JP Erram, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, Matthew Wright, Jayson Castro, and Troy Rosario.
“We have about twelve to thirteen guys already.
“What I’m trying to do is to make the most out of the thirteen guys that are here,” he added.
However, pool players from the Ginebra Kings and the Magnolia Hotshots have yet to attend a practice. The two teams are still in the midst of a heated semifinals series in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup. Moreover, Stanley Pringle is still in the States.
But Guiao is not panicking, as he already handled the majority of those players during the 2018 Asian Games and the fourth window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
“One of the qualities were looking for is for them to be able to catch on with their high basketball IQ. Wala kaming problema sa conditioning ng mga yan,” he shared. “Alam namin na in-shape ang mga yan. Pero kailangan lang namin maibalik ang familiarity nila sa sistema playing with the rest of the guys.
“Also, just yung natural chemistry. You will know right away if guys are going to be able to play with each other in a cohesive manner if they will develop chemistry. Malalaman mo na yun, at least instinctively,” he furthered.
“With seventy to eighty-percent of these guys, I know already kasi na-handle ko na sila. So I’m just looking at the twenty to thirty-percent in the next few days.”
With Gilas beginning their daily practices next week, Guiao expects full attendance on Monday morning, hours before their first match against Jordan.
“So si LA (Tenorio) na lang ang medyo unfamiliar. Siguro, there will be two guys that will try to catch up, but the rest of the guys, I know will be able to catch on in the next few days.”
