ANTIPOLO – Meralco is hoping to see Chris Newsome get a chance of making it to the Gilas Pilipinas team bound for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
No less than Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo said that the club would want their main man to focus, first and foremost, on his duties with the national team, which is set to begin its preparations for the global meet this Wednesday.
“Si New, we’re praying, we’re hoping na magkaroon siya ng chance sa Gilas,” said the champion mentor.
“Kasi once in a lifetime lang ‘yun, ‘di ba?”
Needless to say, the entire organization is supportive of Newsome’s Gilas bid, for they believe that he has proven his worth to the program.
Trillo said that the 32-year-old’s stint with the Filipino dribblers in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games should be enough for him to be considered. He was part of the ‘Redeem Team’ that successfully brought the gold back home.
“He proved naman, nagpakita siya when guys were down, he stepped up sa SEA Games,” he said as the team of Coach Chot Reyes suffered bumps and bruises — and extreme playing conditions — en route to the title.
Trillo, though, said that Meralco will always welcome Newsome back should he not make it to the men’s team pool for the August 25-September 10 cagefest. Then again, all that they’re praying for is for him to get his opportunity.
“We want New to focus. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, ‘yung bansa natin nakataya roon. I hope he gets a chance,” he said.
“We’re not gonna pressure him back because that’s the most important thing for him.”
Newsome has actually been with Meralco in the ongoing PBA On Tour. But he’s not seeing action as the team deemed it best to give him the time he would need to rest from last season’s grind — both with the team and Gilas.
To keep him fresh for the national team’s buildup for the World Cup, too.
“Under Coach Norman [Black], we [had] six out of seven conferences where we made the semis. That’s solid. But parang si New, his calf has been hurting. It’s good for him that he wants some time to heal,” Trillo said.
“He’s there in practice, he’s engaged with us, but we realized that he needs some time to rest. If he doesn’t make it, we’ll welcome him back. But for now, my mind and thoughts are that he’s got to focus on the national team.”
