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Gilas in a race against time for FIBA World Cup preps

The Philippines witnessed one of the best basketball moments last year when Gilas Pilipinas defeated South Korea and qualified for the FIBA World Cup in Spain. With head coach Chot Reyes calling the shots, Gilas was given ample time to prepare for the FIBA Asia Championship held in Manila. It bore fruit with the second-place finish for the Philippines but now Gilas is facing another challenge as they race against time to prepare for even stiffer opposition.

“They way it’s coming out now, parang imposible maka-start ng July 1,” said Reyes after the first practice of the 17-man Gilas pool. The initial plan was for Gilas to start daily practices on July 1 which was initially tabbed as the start of the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. From their once a week practices, the national team, sans the players playing in the finals will amp up their preparations as July starts. However, this will no longer be the case.

“If we’re lucky we might be able to start practice by July 15 kasi parang dun pa lang mag-s-start yung Finals,” Reyes added. “The problem is that there is a FIBA Asia Cup from July 11 to 19 that we really wanted to join sana. So that appears to be out of the question. Mukhang malabo na yun.”

ALSO READ: Scenes from the first practice of Gilas Pilipinas

Among the 17 players in the pool, only Jeff Chan was not able to attend the first practice of Gilas as he was still in Bacolod with his family. Reyes however explained that there will be no further changes in the list of 17.

“This is the final pool. We don’t have enough time as it is for the pool so it will be very hard to change it. This is the pool for the FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games. We don’t know who’s going to play where,” he said. “But if people are going to miss practice, then we’ll have to drop them. If you miss one or two practices then you’re out of the team. They are aware of that.”

Reyes also addressed the rumors on Gilas joining the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup to help prepare for the FIBA World Cup.

“Anything that can give us time to practice and prepare, I’m all for it," he said. Asked whether the teams owners will allow their stars to play for Gilas instead of their home teams, the coach refused to share his thoughts. “Ibang tanong yan,” Reyes replied. “That’s not for me to answer.”

ALSO READ: Why was Mark Barroca no included in Gilas pool?

Practices are not the only thing that Gilas is cramming. They are also trying to fast track the naturalization of NBA player Andray Blatche. “(This Wednesday) will be hearing of the justice committee on naturalization,” Reyes explained. “I don’t have the details yet but Congressman Robbie Puno called me earlier to fill me in on some details.”

Reyes also urged the member of the media to show their support of the process as some personalities, including four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Ramon Fernandez, spoke against it.

“I know there are some members of the media who do not believe in naturalization,” the coach said. “If you think it’s good for us then, you can show your support.”

“Yun ang off-shoot of not starting early. Everything will be crammed,” Reyes closed. “On our end, we’re just waiting, whatever the PBA says, we’ll abide by it.”