Chot Reyes takes on challenge of redemption in Cambodia playing cards Gilas has been dealt
Gilas Pilipinas Coach Chot Reyes
The items are slowly falling in place for the Gilas Pilipinas crew that may gun for the mom of all redemptions for Group Philippines within the thirty second Southeast Asian Video games in Cambodia in lower than two weeks.
Justin Brownlee completed cooling his heels and attended follow on Thursday, bringing the whole variety of pool members to 14 and coach Chot Reyes feels that reclaiming the cage gold in Phnom Penh—even with manpower woes nonetheless there—could be very achievable contemplating the time he and a lot of the gamers have had with the staff.
“Though there are quite a lot of common [PH members] lacking, we have now stability and continuity [of the program] this yr,” Reyes informed the Inquirer over the telephone after follow when requested in regards to the Gilas 5’s possibilities. “Final yr we had so many transitions—from the coaches to the gamers.
“We’ve had none of that this time.”
The Nationals have been busy making ready for the previous weeks and Reyes can’t await the weekend to see the ultimate rosters so far as the opposition is anxious.
Rosters by weekend
“Though we have already got scouted their final video games, we nonetheless must see who will likely be enjoying,” Reyes stated, conscious that coaches from different international locations can pull off surprises with relaxed eligibility guidelines in impact.
“Proper now, one solely wants a passport to play,” the fiery coach went on. “So, even when we have now seen and scouted all of their final video games, there’s nonetheless this opportunity that somebody we don’t know comes as much as play. We don’t need that. So we’ll see who will likely be up in opposition to by the weekend.”
“We’ll get to know all of them as soon as the ultimate lineups are bared,” assistant Jong Uichico stated. “However proper now, we have now been doing our due diligence and watching each nation.”
Stranglehold misplaced
The Nationwide squad huddles round Chot Reyes to finish follow at Meralco health club. —DENISON REY A. DALUPANG
The Philippines misplaced the boys’s basketball gold final yr in Hanoi when Indonesia—dealt with by first Gilas program coach Rajko Toroman of Serbia—scored the upset of these Video games.
It was the primary time in additional than three many years that the Philippines misplaced, a setback that was felt again within the nation and overshadowed the victories of different nationwide athletes there.
Items of unhealthy information have come of late, with June Mar Fajardo begging off to recuperate from a knee damage; Scottie Thompson needing to take care of the beginning of his baby; Mikey Williams and Jamie Malonzo having prior commitments.
“It’s a actuality we have now to cope with,” Reyes stated. “We’ve got different items on the staff and we play with the playing cards that we’re dealt.”
The staff departs for Cambodia on Might 6, a day after the Opening Ceremonies, with the cage event to open 4 days later and the Philippines taking the Morodok Techno Nationwide Stadium Elephant Corridor second flooring first in opposition to Malaysia at 12 midday in Manila.
Reyes and his teaching employees which incorporates Tim Cone and Jong Uichico will begin a week-long camp at Encourage Academy in Laguna on Sunday, the place they’re anticipated to totally temporary all of the gamers on the opposition in Cambodia.
Bracketed with lightweights Singapore, the Malaysians and the hosts, the Filipinos will advance to the crossover semifinals and not using a hitch anticipated as the highest two from every group will progress.
The opposite group will likely be made up of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos and barring main upsets in group play, Group Philippines will possible get a crack on the Indonesians within the finals.
Requested how he feels in regards to the possibilities of reclaiming misplaced glory by enjoying with the playing cards that he has, Reyes minced no phrases.
“You understand me, I’ve at all times been a fighter,” Reyes stated. “I at all times really feel that I’ve an opportunity at successful and going there will likely be no totally different.”
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