SEVILLE, Spain – If he could send his very same team here to the Asian Games in Incheon Korea, coach Chot Reyes predicted going all the way to the top.
“With a few breaks and as long as we stay healthy, I think we can go all the way (beating everybody), including Iran,” Reyes said.
But Gilas has its concerns with its Asian Games lineup, including naturalized player Andray Blatche, whose Asiad eligibility is still being questioned by the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC).
There are also some health woes coming from tough battles in the FIBA World Cup.
“That’s why it’s really hard to say right now because we don’t know what’s our lineup is,” said Reyes. “Nakakapanghinayang if we’re not allowed to bring this team.”
But, of course, there’s Marcus Douthit in case Blatche is not approved to play in the Asiad.
“The dynamics, however, will be completely different. Ibang-iba ang team na ito with Andray and with Marcus,” Reyes said.
“With the way you see it, Junmar (Fajardo) plays so well with Andray. He can’t play that well with Marcus because they play the same position. Andray gets so much attention and it allows Junmar to do a lot of things,” Reyes explained.
The backcourt may also have changes, including the reentry of Jimmy Alapag.
No less than SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan wants Alapag to reconsider his retirement from the national team because of his solid showing in the world meet.
But Alapag may really be needed with injuries to Jayson Castro, Paul Lee and Marc Pingris.
Alapag and Reyes said they will talk about the Asian Games upon their return to Manila.