Gilas more concerned with roster’s health

INCHEON, South Korea – Gilas Pilipinas team manager Aboy Castro is in high spirits after he met no opposition on Marcus Douthit’s eligibility during the team manager’s meeting on Friday at the Samsam World Gymnasium here.

He was not worried at all with the Douthit issue that resurfaced on Thursday, on the eve of the meeting here. He was more concerned of the Gilas’ health status heading into the tournament, just barely two weeks after the FIBA World Cup.

“That’s the exact reason why they stayed behind for a couple of more days,” said Castro explaining the team’s delaying their arrival and begging off from the joining the Phl delegation’s parade in the Opening Ceremonies Friday night.

With spate of injuries hounding the team, Castro hopes that the couple of extra days Gilas spent back home helped the team recharge.

“That’s why I was the only one who attended the team managers’ meeting to allow the players to be with their families and get medical attention if needed. Hopefully, when they come over tomorrow, they’ll be in better health and hopefully, our 12-man roster can be as healthy as they can be heading into the competition,” Castro added.

The whole Gilas team will arrive on Saturday night and will hold twice-a-day practice here starting on Sunday before their first game on Tuesday against the Group B topnotcher, which is expected to be Kazakhstan.

All Gilas games will be aired live on TV5, the home of the 17th Asian Games.