It will require serious commitment.
There are no shoo-ins when it comes to the Gilas Pilipinas’ lineup for the FIBA World Cup. Actually, the national team looks to embark on its preparations with an entire pool of players, rather than with a set 12-man roster, says coach Chot Reyes.
It’s a safety precaution, just in case someone pulls out unexpectedly due to injury or any other reason.
With this approach, the "next man up" mentality is essentially part of the Gilas program. The best teams in the world have always exercised this mantra. For the national team, it's vital to ensure continuity.
“We’re going to have a long schedule of tune-up games, preparation, and training. If we go there only with our 12, we’re going to be severely incapacitated,” the longtime Gilas mentor said on the latest episode of Power and Play, hosted by former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
“There’s always something that will happen. Talagang may mangyayari’t mangyayari doon,” Reyes added.
This means taking a commitment from more players, a task that's by no means easy for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). On the side of the athletes, they would need to be willing to undergo training even with no guarantee of a roster spot for FIBA's flagship event.
Reyes knows that's asking a lot, but it has to be said ahead to set the right expectations.
“The best thing really for us is to tell the players, everyone that we will invite to this final pool is, ‘Are you willing to go through the practices, the training, the camps without the assurance of earning a roster spot? If you say no, fine, we’ll shake hands, absolutely no hard feelings,'” Reyes explained.
What Coach Chot can promise is that the training will eventually help any cager sharpen his game, Final 12 or not.
“But if you say yes, if you go through this with us, even if you do not make the Final 12, you will come out of this a much better player.”
So, who should make the pool? Some basketball minds have already voiced out their takes, although SBP has yet to announce an official list.
(GM)