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By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior reporter
PREPARATIONS for the Philippines men’s national basketball team for the third and final window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian Cup Qualifiers in February are now underway with the team working on a system and game plan. that suits the available parts.
Speaking in the Power and play with Noli Eala On Saturday, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) special assistant to SBP President Ryan Gregorio shared that Gilas Pilipinas’ “bubble” training at INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, is now in full swing.
The team is awaiting the arrival of a couple more players to join the group, the SBP official said.
In the bubble right now are the Gilas cadet players, who made up the team that represented the country and did well in the second window of the ACQ last November in Manama, Bahrain.
They are Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Matt and Mike Nieto, Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, Will Navarro, Calvin Oftana, Kemark Carino, Dave Ildefonso, Angelo Kouame (naturalized player candidate), and Justine Baltazar.
The young gears are joined by Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players Kiefer Ravena and Raul Soyud (NLEX), Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy (TNT), Justin Chua (Phoenix Super LPG) and CJ Pérez (Terrafirma).
The team still expects cadet Dwight Ramos and National Basketball Association (NBA) G League player Kai Sotto to join in the coming days. Both players come from the United States.
Leading the training and preparation are head coach Jong Uichico and assistants Norman Black, Caloy Garcia and Sandy Arespacochaga, as well as program director Tab Baldwin.
Mr. Gregorio admitted that there are notable names that are not present in the bubble training, particularly of the professionals, but that they in the SBP are not taking any trouble about it.
“At SBP we are working with what is presented to us. And we always move forward, ”said Mr. Gregorio, who is also a PBA champion coach.
He went on to stress that when one is invited to Gilas, it is “purely voluntary in nature.”
Gregorio said they heard the side of the players who refused to play for the next window and were satisfied with their reasons.
“All the reasons presented to us were quite acceptable. Some of them are trapped in America. Others are nursing injuries, while some have medical emergencies, ”he said.
But the SBP is prepared and adjusting to the situation, Gregorio added quickly.
“There are plans instituted by SBP and Coach Tab. There is a short-term plan, a medium-term and a long-term plan… We are not necessarily looking for the best players, but for more players who can fit into the team. They have specific roles to play, ”said the SBP official.
As for Mr. Sotto joining the team, Mr. Gregorio said that SBP appreciates his decision and that they are working twice as long to bring in the best young prospect as soon as possible.
“We are in contact with the Kai Sotto camp, making sure to follow strict protocols and not take shortcuts. We are happy with the commitment that playing for the country has shown. We also made sure he got approval from the G League to play here, ”said Gregorio.
Sotto surprised many last week when he announced that he will play for Gilas next month when the G League bubble tournament also kicks off next month.
Reports say Sotto got approval from the league and his Ignite team to play in the ACQ window, but is expected to miss the first few games of the G League tournament.
Mr. Sotto is in the G League hoping to fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA.
The third window of the FIBA ACQ takes place February 18-22 at Clark City in Pampanga.
Gilas will play three games: two against Korea (February 18 and 22) and one against Indonesia (February 20).
The Philippines currently leads Group A with an impeccable record of 3-0 and six points. Second, Korea (2-0), followed by Indonesia (1-2) and Thailand (0-3).
In the playoffs, the top two teams from each group at the end reserve an outright place at the Asian Cup later this year in Indonesia.
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