The postponement of the 2017 SEABA Championship, which has led to the tournament’s play dates being moved to May, has caused Gilas Pilipinas to change its plans.
But head coach Chot Reyes is making the most of what has been afforded to them by making the 2017 PBA All-Star Week, the league’s celebration of talent and thanksgiving to its fans, as Gilas Pilpinas’ tune-up for the regional meet.
“I’m looking forward to it because that’s basically our only tune-up as a team before SEABA,” Reyes said Monday evening.
This season’s All-Star festivities will be a week-long event with the Gilas pool being split into three teams. Most of the pool members will play at least twice during the event that will be held in Cagayan de Oro on April 26, in Quezon on April 28, and in Cebu on April 30.
Though the Final 12 players will not be playing together, for coach Chot, it’s better than having no avenue to play for.
“We’re not going to be able to have any chance, and even then it’s not going to be perfect because we’re not going to have the complete, full 12-man team playing together,” the 53-year-old mentor added.
“But that’s better than nothing.
“We’re not going to have a chance to practice or play anymore until SEABA, so I thought it was good to take advantage of that opportunity. I thank the PBA for affording us the chance,” he added.
Gilas Pilipinas will be represented by Terrence Romeo, LA Revilla, Mike Tolomia, RR Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Kevin Ferrer, Carl Cruz, Fonzo Gotladera, Bradwyn Guinto, Norbert Torres, and June Mar Fajardo during the first leg of the tournament.
Mike Tolomia, Almond Vosotros, Ed Daquioag, Jonathan Grey, Allein Maliksi, Matthew Wright, Kevin Ferrer, Carl Cruz, Norbert Torres, Bradwyn Guinto, Raymond Almazan, and Arnold Van Opstal will compose the National Team that will face the Luzon All-Stars.
In the final leg, Jayson Castro, Jio Jalalon, LA Revilla, RR Pogoy, Allein Maliksi, Von Pessumal, Mac Belo, Troy Rosario, Calvin Abueva, and Raymond Almazan will compose Gilas. In addition, Reyes will rekindle his coaching rivalry against Ginebra head coach Tim Cone during the Mindanao leg.
