Tenorio, Lassiter handa nang maglaro sa Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Tumanggi silang ma­pabilang sa national pool nang imbitahan sila ni Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin.

Ngunit sa kabila nito ay hiningi pa rin ni Baldwin ang mga pangalan nina Barangay Ginebra playmaker LA Tenorio at SMB hotshot Marcio Lassiter para sa bagong national pool na isasabak sa Olympic world qualifier sa susunod na taon.

Kaya naman gulat na gulat si Tenorio.

“I was surprised I was still tapped to rejoin the pool even as I missed the Changsha games,” wika ni Tenorio, isang Gilas mainstay mula noong 2012 Jones Cup hanggang sa 2014 Asian Games sa Incheon, Korea.

“I’ve talked to coach Tab. He told me ‘you’re reall­y part of the pool.’ I’m so happy he still took me in,” dagdag pa nito.

Naniniwala rin ang veteran guard na walang magiging problema sa kanyang mother team na Ginebra dahil suportado siya ni coach Tim Cone.

Umaasa naman si Lassiter, bahagi ng original Gilas Pilipinas team sa ilalim ni coach Rajko Toroman, na muli siyang makakapagsuot ng national jersey.

“Being nominated into the pool is definitely an honor. I was part of the national team before and I enjoyed every second of it and to be nominated again is truly an honor and I feel blessed,” wika ni Lassiter.

“I’m ready to play again. This is a great shot to be in the Olympics. I hope we can make it,” dagdag pa ng outside gunner.

Hindi nakasama sina Tenorio at Lassiter sa nakaraang Gilas team.

Idinahilan ni Tenorio ang sobrang kapaguran, habang umuwi naman si Lassiter sa United States para sa kanyang may sakit na lola.

“I was able to rest, and I’m refreshed,” wika ni Tenorio.

“It’s gonna be a very interesting 17-man lineup. Terrence (Romeo) was a revelation in FIBA Asia. He’s an added weapon. Probably, it will be a battle for the last 10 spots with Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro assured of their spots. Kahit sino ang matira dyan can play,” dagdag pa nito.

Nasasabik naman si Gabe Norwood, ang national player mula noong 2007 FIBA Asia, sa bagong national pool na ipinahiram ng PBA kay Baldwin.

“It’s exciting to have so much talent in the country all together. Hopefully we’d all get better and be prepared for the qualifier,” ani Norwood.

Ang iba pang kasama sa national pool ay sina June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva, Ranidel de Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Marc Pingris, Terrence Romeo, Greg Slaughter, Ryan Reyes, Troy Rosario at Ian Sanggalang.