Gusto naming i-assimilate pareho sina Rhenz at AJ sa ginagawa namin," sabi ni coach Reyes,Another priority of Gilas is to get the injured players back in full fitness.

 

Ang GILAS Pilipinas ay may isang pangunahing layunin sa unang linggo ng huling pag-buildup nito para sa Fiba Basketball World Cup: papamilyar sina Rhenz Abando at AJ Edu sa istilo ng paglalaro ng koponan. Sina Abando at Edu ay naghahanap ng puwesto sa Final 12 ng Gilas team para sa World Cup, ngunit pareho silang walang sapat na paglabas sa qualifiers para magkaroon ng ganap na kaalaman sa sistema ng Gilas sa ilalim ni Chot Reyes. Dalawang laro lang ang naglaro ni Abando sa qualifiers laban sa New Zealand at India sa ikatlong window. Hindi naglaro si Edu sa qualifiers, at nagdusa pa siya ng mga pinsala sa kanyang pananatili sa Toledo sa NCAA Division 1. "Gusto naming i-assimilate pareho sina Rhenz at AJ sa ginagawa namin," sabi ni coach Reyes. “Kasi yung iba alam na basically yung mga ginagawa namin. Gusto naming i-fast-track ang asimilasyon nina Rhenz at AJ.”

Gilas will shift its preparations to the Inspire Sports Academy next week before leaving for their European training camp that includes tune-up matches against Estonia and Finland.

Another priority of Gilas is to get the injured players back in full fitness. Among those injured, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, are Roger Pogoy (finger fracture), Ray Parks (muscle strain) and Calvin Oftana (calf).

“People have to start to get into game shape because a lot of the guys are coming from a break, PBA, Japan, Korea guys are also coming from breaks. We are starting some conditioning already,” said Reyes.

“For those who are injured, to recover and make sure that they are fully healthy,” said Reyes.