The commitment and sacrifice of the Gilas pool is unparalleled.
By now, Filipino basketball fans know that it's easier for the eight planets (Pluto is a dwarf planet according to NASA) of the solar system to align than form a Gilas Pilipinas pool with an in-sync schedule.
Getting players together was already hard before when PBA games collide with international duties. Conflicting timetables multiplied when players took their talents abroad to play for other leagues in Asia.
A case in point is the current Gilas Pilipinas pool, which only got together as a complete team Monday night, or just four days before their campaign in the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
"Ngayon lang sila nabuo with the Japan guys. So, we just have to get everybody back together on the same page," Gilas coach Chot Reyes said during Monday night's practice.
But the sacrifice of the players is not lost to coach Chot. If anything, he has a front-row seat to their commitment to the national team. Gilas Pilipinas started their twice-a-day training today (Tuesday), before their showdown against Lebanon this Friday.
Just as the national team's preparations ramp up, action in the PBA Governors' Cup also continues to heat up. But the loyal Gilas pool made sure to report for national team duty.
"Hirap talaga. Specially the guys coming off games. San Miguel and Talk and Text played three games in five days and then they went straight here," Reyes said.
"It's no joke what we're asking of these players. It's really a big commitment on their part."
Reyes and the rest of the national team coaching staff is expected to release the lineup for the final window on or before Thursday. Gilas Pilipinas is looking to avenge a tight loss against Lebanon on Friday.