By Peter Paul Duran
COREY Webster’s health is still a cause for concern, but the New Zealand men’s national basketball team is positive that everything will pan out great in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament which starts tomorrow.
“He’s doing fine, he’s showing promising signs and he’s feeling well now,” said Tall Blacks’ head coach Paul Henare in an open-training session at the Cuneta Astrodome on Saturday.
Webster did not participate in the training session as fitness staff worked on his calf.
The team was careful not to put too much stress on Webster’s leg, but assured that the combo guard is all set for the Rio qualifiers.
“He’s pretty much on track, and we’re getting him ready for the first game against Gilas. He’s making progress and we’re just hoping that everything goes well,” members of the team management said.
The promising 27-year-old had a bit of a scare when he hobbled off in the middle of their tune-up game against Latvia, pointing to some pain in his calf.
But the Tall Blacks breathed a sigh of relief when team doctors cleared Webster of any major injury a day later.
“I feel pretty good. Everyday (my calf) is getting better,” said Webster while giving some basketball tips to kids from an Aeta community in Pampanga.
Some 26 members of an Aeta village in Floridablanca, Pampanga were invited to interact with the NZ national team in celebration of the 50-year diplomatic relations between the Philippines and New Zealand.
“I have a few days to get myself in game-shape and come game time, I think I’ll be a hundred percent.”
The Tall Blacks will go up against Gilas in their first game for the FIBA OQT and the winner of that match-up, many presume, will be the likely team to advance.