Walang ‘shoo-in’ sa Gilas para sa WC

MANILA, Philippines — Mahaharap sa ma­tin­ding pagsubok si Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes kung paano pipiliin ang Final 12 para sa FIBA World Cup na papalo sa Agosto 25 sa Philippine Arena.

Mahigit tatlong linggo na lamang ang nalalabi bago ang FIBA World Cup ngunit wala pang pinal na desisyon si Reyes sa magiging official lineup ng Gilas Pilipinas.

Aminado si Reyes na mahihirapan itong pumili ng Final 12 lalo pa’t maganda ang inilalaro ng lahat ng miyembro ng 20-man Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Ito ang pinakamahirap na tungkulin ni Reyes sa pagbuo ng 12-man final lineup tulad ng naging trabaho nito sa 2007 FIBA Asia Cup sa Tokushima, China.

“I remember in the 2007 in Tokushima, our final cuts were James Yap, Ranidel de Ocampo and Tony dela Cruz. We have to make it to the final 12 and those were very, very tough cuts,” ani Reyes sa programang Power and Play.

Alam ni Reyes na mahirap itong gawin ngunit wala itong magagawa dahil bahagi ito ng kanyang tungkulin.

“We’re going to face the same (for the 2023 Gilas batch). It’s going to be very tough, it’s part of the job,” ani Reyes.

May mga kwalipikas­yon si Reyes na gagamitin nito para makapasok sa Final 12.

“I’ve always said, they have to fit the style of play that we want, then fit each other’s styles, and be r­eally in top shape in terms of physical fitness,” ani Reyes.

Kasalukuyang sumasalang ang Gilas Pilipinas sa 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament sa Guangdong, China.

“Those things are going to weigh just as importantly as being around for a long time for the group,” ani Reyes.

Excited na si Reyes sa magiging kampanya ng Gilas Pilipinas sa FIBA World Cup.

“I’m very excited, to be very honest. I’m really dreading making the final cuts, because those are going to be very, very difficult decision but I’m very energized and impressed by spirit of the guys,” ani Reyes.