Ten showed up on Monday, plus one Sean Anthony.
The preparation to retake the Southeast Asian Games men's basketball gold medal is in full swing, as ten players showed up for Gilas Pilipinas practice on Monday.
Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Aaron Black, along with San Miguel Beermen's CJay Perez, Chris Ross, and Marcio Lassiter were in the Meralco gym. Also in attendance were NorthPort Batang Pier's Arvin Tolentino, NLEX Road Warriors' Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Ateneo Blue Eagles' Mason Amos, along with De La Salle Green Archers' Benjamin and Michael Phillips.
Rosser's teammate, Sean Anthony, lent a helping hand, according to News5's Martie Bautista.
A large part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool is absent from the mix with the PBA Governors' Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang Giga tied at 2-2.
And that meant reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson, Governors' Cup Best Player of the Conference Christian Standhardinger, naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee, Stanley Pringle, Jeremiah Gray, Japeth Aguilar, Poy Erram, and Calvin Oftana, along with Ginebra coach Tim Cone, won't be suiting up for Gilas training just yet.
Meanwhile, sharpshooter RR Pogoy is effectively out of the lineup after sustaining a fractured finger.
"That’s the reason why we have a large pool right? People are complaining, why not just name the team right away, why have a pool?" coach Chot Reyes told News5.
"In my experience, there’s always gonna be situations like this where you’re going to get injuries, someone will get into accidents, some will be suddenly unavailable. So it’s always good to have a bigger number of players to choose from, and that’s what I explained to the guys as well."
It's quite a tight timetable for Gilas, with the Governors' Cup finals heading to what would at least be a Game 6 and with the SEA Games in Cambodia kicking off in just over two weeks' time.
"You can't cheat the process," Rosser told News5. "I think we have to make sure we’re locked in. It’s something coach said today that we just have to be ready to go right away no matter what the situation is."
"If you’re out there, put in the work. Push each other you know, 'cause we’re playing for the country."
And it's gold or nothing for this Redeem Team, as the squad will be aiming to beat defending champions Indonesia. It won't be easy as coach Milos Pejic will be choosing with the likes of Lester Prosper, Derrick Michael Xzavierro, Marques Bolden, Brandon Jawato, and Anthony Beane as naturalized players, according to Indonesia's MainBasket.
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)