Fonacier begs off from Gilas pool for World Cup

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas hit a road bump in its preparation for the FIBA World Cup after Larry Fonacier begged off from the pool.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes broke the shocking news on his Twitter account (@coachot) on Thursday morning.

Fonacier, who survived a career-threatening ACL injury before he joined PBA in 2005, had to beg off to continue his rehab on his injuries.

It is w deep sadness that we have to accept Larry's request to beg off the Gilas pool for the meantime. (cont) http://t.co/fqZs1MFdKS

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) July 23, 2014

“It is with deep sadness that we have to accept Larry’s request to beg off the Gilas pool for the meantime. Unknown to many, Larry has been playing through a variety of foot and back injuries that have bothered him the past 2 years; and it is only his great dedication that has prevented him from taking anytime off,” Reyes said.

Fonacier played a key role in Gilas' silver medal run in the FIBA Asia Men's Championship held here last year that earned the country a spot in the World Cup.

“However, the rigors of playing almost non-stop in the PBA and national team for the past 3 years has taken its toll, leaving Larry with no recourse but to accede to his doctors orders for complete rest & rehabilitation. We will definitely miss Larry’s quiet leadership and unyielding heart," Reyes added.

The sweet-shooting Talk n Text guard averaged 5.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.2 minutes of action in the FIBA Asia Men's Championship. He is best remembered for exploding 21 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting against rival Chinese Taipei in the group stages.

Also read: Fonacier feels sorry for skipping FIBA World Cup

Fonacier was the 14th pick of the 2005 Rookie Draft but went on to become one of the only few second round picks to win the Rookie of the Year honors. He also won a Finals MVP award in leading Talk n Text's championship run in the 2011-12 Philippine Cup Finals.

Observers believed that Paul Lee, the FIBA Asia Cup's bronze medal-run hero, and Jared Dillinger, who has proven himself as a defensive ace in the Wuhan tournament, are the top two candidates who will likely take over Fonacier's spot. 

The national pool will leave for US on Friday morning to train with new naturalized player Andray Blatche in Miami, Florida before heading to Spain and France for a series of tuneup games ahead of the FIBA World Cup.