It’s no secret that Raymond Almazan felt terrible when he missed Gilas Pilipinas’ days-long training camp in Spain weeks back because he wasn’t granted a visa.
The 30-year-old slotman badly wanted to participate in order to prove he deserves his inclusion in the lineup that will represent the country in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
“Yun talaga, big part yun ng pagkuha ng final lineup.
“Yung training camp sa Spain, ang laking bagay nun. Dun mo makikita yung pwede mo isama. Eh kaso ‘di ako nakasama. Nine days din yun,” he said.
His absence meant Almazan felt he had already lost the opportunity to play in the global basketball spectacle. But fate really has its ways, and things went in his favor.
Last Sunday, head coach Yeng Guiao named the proud son of Bataan to the 12-man roster, much to his delight.
“Siyempre sobrang happy and excited. Lahat ng pinaghirapan mo nag-pay off na,” said Almazan, who started playing for the national team back in the 2017 SEABA Championship in Manila.
For Almazan, he believes that the injury of Poy Erram gave him the chance to make the cut. And so, he vows to not waste this rare chance of playing on such a prestigious stage.
“Alam naman natin one game ‘di ka na pwede bumawi kung merong mistakes, so buhos na lahat every game,” he said.
There’s no denying that Gilas enters the World Cup as a heavy underdog. Still, for Almazan, he hopes that the squad will hit its outside shots for better chances against Italy, Angola, and Serbia
“Alam naman natin yung sistema ni coach Yeng (Guiao) eh. Lahat pwede tumira, lalo ‘pag libre ka. Yun talaga yung chance natin – sana magpapasok yung mga tira natin sa tres,” he said.
“Kasi every time pumapasok yung mga tira natin sa labas, may magandang nangyayari talaga.”
