One month to go before the FIBA World Cup.
One week before the Gilas Pilipinas' scheduled pocket tournament in China and the national team is still waiting for big man Kai Sotto to participate in training.
Coach Chot Reyes has yet to get confirmation when the 7-foot-3 center will don the national colors.
"I’ve always said, he’ll be here when he’ll be here," Reyes told News5's Martie Bautista during Monday night's practice.
The Gilas' head tactician earlier said that they have July 25 deadline for players who want to participate in the FIBA World Cup. But Reyes somehow softened his take.
"That’s not a deadline as in a hard deadline, a hard and fast deadline," he said.
"In our minds, the coaching staff’s minds, that’s the kind of time that we need to put the best team together and our best preparation for the [FIBA] World Cup."
Gilas veteran Kiefer Ravena earlier said that he's confident that Sotto can catch up quickly.
Aside from Sotto, the national team is also waiting for Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson to join the team.
Reyes further explained the situation that the national team has been dealing.
"You saw that we’ve already been preparing and practicing because you know a lot of contingencies come into putting teams together. So, I hope you all appreciate and understand the situation. And you also appreciate how hard it is to put a team together. "
Gilas will have to use what little time remains when or if Sotto and Clarkson finally join the squad.
They will face a tough challenge in Group A of the FIBA World Cup against Angola, Dominican Republic, and Italy. Former national team coach Yeng Guiao though remains confident of the chances considering that Gilas will play on home soil.
(GM)