Gilas has a lot on its plate in the coming weeks.
Filipino fans should troop together for the health of Gilas Pilipinas.
On Saturday in Kausas, Lithuania, the national team concluded its FIBA World Cup preps in the Baltic region with a 125-102 victory over a Lithuanian selection team. After a rough start, the Filipino hoopers ultimately finished their 16-day European training camp on a high note. That being said, the goal of getting in the best shape possible for the global hoops summit is still a work in progress.
Getting into peak conditioning and performing in more tune-up games are just a few of the many challenges left for Gilas as the buildup for FIBA’s flagship event intensifies. Longtime national team mentor Chot Reyes wants to specifically focus on the physical health aspect.
“First is the recovery, they have to rest. And then we have to evaluate,” Reyes told Carlo Pamintuan of One Sports.
The evaluation is needed after top point guard Scottie Thompson recently sustained a hand injury that kept him out of action in the latter portion of Gilas' camp in Europe. Another potential starter in Dwight Ramos unfortunately suffered an injury as well, evident in his absence during the final tune-up match versus the Lithuanians.
“We have to get the official medical prognosis of Scottie’s injury, get an MRI for Dwight's knee as well because those are very important in the decisions we have to make when we get back to Manila,” the veteran tactician elaborated.
Still, Gilas will have to get back to the grind, even while two of its best players are nursing their respective injuries. According to Reyes, his wards must take full advantage of the the lessons they’ve learned from their European trip.
“After a few days, go back to the work, go back to practicing in Manila. And then trying to stay sharp, I think that’s the most important thing as we continue to develop from the lessons we learned here.”
After playing against European competition, the Gilas cagers are set to undergo a few more litmus tests as they fly to an Asian neighbor before the FIBA World Cup.
“And then prepare for tough games in our China series, in which we’re going to play, again, full national teams,” Coach Chot said.
(With reports from Carlo Pamintuan, One Sports)
(GM)