Almost all the key players of the Philippine men's national basketball team have finally gotten together in the past few days, just a few weeks before the FIBA World Cup.
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is expected to be the main man for Gilas Pilipinas, with coach Chot Reyes expecting a "much-improved" version of the player for the international basketball tournament.
Only, maybe they can tap into it after he recovers from jetlag.
"That's just natural. Itong first [practice] kagabi, today, and I suspect bukas, mafi-feel talaga 'yang tama ng jetlag," coach Chot Reyes told One PH's Sa Totoo Lang on Thursday night.
The United States-based Clarkson arrived in the Philippines on August 8 and went to practice with his Gilas teammates on Wednesday, August 9.
Reyes said they shared tips with Clarkson on how he could adjust to Philippine Standard Time, which is around 14 hours behind Mountain Daylight Time.
"Ina-advise namin siya na labanan niya. Pigilan niyang matulong nang alanganin," Reyes shared.
It was especially helpful that their closed-door practice at the PhilSports Arena was from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Pagod siya, makakatulog ng tamang tulog," Reyes noted.
"'Pag nagising in the middle of the night, 'wag manood ng ano-ano."
Reyes is in no rush to name his Final 12 for the FIBA World Cup, as he would only need to cut three to four from the current available players.
The availability of Scottie Thompson though is considered to be a "weekly" decision, whether the fracture in his hand can heal in time.
Meanwhile, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will wait for Kai Sotto's medical clearance, since the 7-foot-3 big man suffered back issues during his NBA Summer League stint.