TRIPS to Europe and China in the past days and months have allowed members of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball pool to simulate game-time conditions during their preparations for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes said the experiences learned when they took on other national teams from Estonia, World Cup-bound Finland and Latvia and top clubs in Lithuania in Europe and China are finally being appreciated during their scrimmages.
“I wanted the boys to get a taste of the pace and physicality of European basketball. And it was the same thing with China,” said Reyes.
Gilas practiced Sunday without injured big man, 6’8” Poy Erram, who will no longer continue his bid to seek a slot in the final lineup of Gilas for the World Cup because of his knee injury.
The team also has two injured players in Kai Sotto and Scottie Thompson, who are not going into full-on scrimmages with the rest of the team.
But this time, they have Utah Jazz cager Jordan Clarkson with them as he continues to get used to the humid conditions and quickly get over his jet lag.
Reyes said that in the past, the coaching staff was not able to raise the level of intensity of the practices, since the players had little idea of how their opponents are playing.
“No matter how intense we try to elevate the practices, we still cannot simulate the game intensity,” added Reyes.
Facing squads from Senegal and Iran also gave Gilas a chance to know how African and Middle Eastern squads play as well.
Team Philippines is getting ready for its first game against the Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Araneta Coliseum with NBA star Karl Anthony Towns around.
The 7’0” Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves carried the Dominican Republic as they eliminated a full-strength 2019 runners-up Argentina in the qualifiers.
So far, Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana and Bobby Ray Parks have showed up at the practices, after the three missed the Europe training camp.
“We were able to work on integrating other guys, who were not with us in Europe, like Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana and Ray Parks,” said Reyes after the trio recovered from minor injuries.