THERE will be no rest for the weary as far as Gilas Pilipinas is concerned, with only a few days to go before the FIBA Basketball World Cup commences at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Asked whether he will consider giving his players a break after three grueling tune-up games—the third against Mexico Monday night—Gilas coach Chot Reyes shook his head.
“Hindi na, tuloy-tuloy na kami, tatlong araw na lang eh,” Reyes said, minutes after Gilas Pilipinas faced Montenegro and Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, holding the world No. 18 at bay in the first half before losing steam in the third quarter of a 102-87 loss Sunday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Indications are that Reyes will be exhausting his remaining pre-World Cup team practices starting Tuesday to further sharpen the team’s game before submitting his Final 12 lineup at the Managers’ Meeting on August 23 or 24.
Gilas kicks off its bid to emerge as the World Cup’s top Asian finisher, thereby securing a spot to the Paris Olympics next year, on August 25 against FIBA Americas qualifier Dominican Republic.
The Nationals next face FIBA Africa entry Angola on August 27, and wrap up the first round of the Group Phase against world No. 10 Italy, from FIBA Europe, on August 29.
Two wins out of three could merit the Philippines passage to the second round of the Group Phase where the top two teams from the bracket that contains South Sudan, China, Puerto Rico and Serbia await.
The Dominican Republic, behind Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, beat Canada, 94-88, in a preparatory friendly in Granada, Spain recently.
Reyes, who describes Towns as a “legitimate NBA All-Star first team player,” said the Dominican Republic is “truly strong,” adding that although it lost to defending champion Spain in a succeeding tune-up 86-77, it still looked impressive
“They have Towns and that other guy, [Lester] Quiñones,” said Reyes. “They are very good. The game against Spain was close [up to the third quarter].”