Photo by Marlon Bernabe, BurnSports.ph
Being cut from the final line-up and being relegated to reserve status does not always connote negatives. And in Almond Vosotros’ case, not being named in Gilas Pilipinas 5.0’s final 12-man line-up for the FIBA Asia Challenge Cup 2016 is not something to sulk about.
The Blackwater elite guard’s non-inclusion to the national squad proved to be a surprising move, knowing that he has been a fixture in every Gilas Cadet lineup fielded in tournaments overseas.
Vosotros represented Team Pilipinas in the 2015 SEABA Cup, 2015 Southeast Asian Games, and in the 2016 SEABA Stankovic Cup. Now he’s with Gilas 5.0, but will just be on the sidelines providing moral support to those who made it.
He is still part of the 14-man roster that will fly to Iran for the Challenge Cup, but, along with Jonathan Grey, will serve as the team’s injury reserves, a far cry from his role with the three previous teams he was in.
It could be unusual to see a veteran player helping his team not inside the four walls of the court, but from the stands instead.
But it does not matter for Vosotros.
After Gilas’ practice session Thursday night at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City, the diminutive floor general opened up about the reason why he was not in the line-up this time around.
“Honestly, before i-release ni Coach Josh [Reyes] yung lineup, kinausap na niya ‘ko,” the 26 year old said. “Sinabi niya sa’kin na ako yung kailangan mag-sacrifice kasi gusto niyang subukan yung mga bago — bigyan ng exposure, ng experience. Kaya before niya i-release yung final 12, alam ko na na hindi ako kasama.”
“So, sobrang okay lang sa ‘kin.”
Another reason why the 13th overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft does not feel any animosity over his non-inclusion is his satisfaction playing for the Nationals, saying that his participation with Gilas only helps him develop his game further.
“Actually gusto ko talaga dito, kasi alam ko na dito ako magi-improve. Sa team ko sa PBA, hindi naman ako nabigyan ng chance.
“Dito, kahit papaano, yung training, yung suporta, nandito lahat eh. Kumpleto. So happy ako,” the 5’11 gunslinger shared.
He may just be on the bleachers spectating and cheering on his teammates, but for Vosotros, he feels that his and his fellow Cadets old-timers’ veteran presence will generate impact on the young squad.
“Yung presence ko sa practices. Sabi nga ni Coach Josh, ako yung pinaka-beterano dito sa team… And andyan sina Kevin [Ferrer], sina Mac Belo. Halos mga kasabay ko sa UAAP yan eh,” he shared. “Sila mga beterano na rin, so kami-kami yung mga nagtutulungan.”
Now that Gilas 5.0’s wheels are fully rolling for future international basketball activities, the five-foot-ten guard has made it clear that he has committed with the program for a very long time.
“Full-time na ‘ko dito dahil alam ko na mas magi-improve talaga ako rito both as a player and team player,” said Vosotros.
