15 of 17 players already confirmed to join first Gilas practice

MANILA, Philippines -- The rejigged Gilas Pilipinas is pushing through with its first practice next Monday under coach Tab Baldwin with 15 from the 17-man pool named recently, already confirming.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas deputy director for international affairs Butch Antonio said only San Miguel Beer stalwarts June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter have yet to be notified of the scheduled
practice on Monday, which will start at 8 p.m. at the Meralco gym.

“Right now, I already have 15 of the 17 (confirmed). Today, ko-kontakin ko si Marcio and June Mar because I call them (Gilas pool members) individually,” Antonio told Philstar.com on Friday. 

The SBP top official said members from the Gilas pool can expect Baldwin to lay down the direction as the national squad tries to make do with the once-a-week practice for the next six months.

“Magi-intro lang si coach Tab so more on talk lang muna siya (on Monday),” explained Antonio.

Gilas will then go full blast in its preparation for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) sometime in June when the pro league takes a break.

The PBA will start the season-ending Governors Cup once the national team comes back from the stint in the qualifying tournament. 

Gilas missed earning the automatic Olympic berth last September after bowing to champion China in the Fiba-Asia men’s championships in Changsa.

The Filipinos will try to grab a ticket to next year’s Rio Olympics by playing in the qualifying tournament instead, where Gilas’ pool got stronger following the addition of players from the San Miguel Corp.
camp led by Fajardo, Lassiter, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio as well as Star forward Ian Sangalang.

Paul Lee and Jeff Chan, Rain or Shine players, who did not play in the Changsa tournament, is back in the pool.

Talk ‘N Text defensive ace Ryan Reyes has been added into the mix to join holdovers from the last Gilas 3.0 team led by Marc Pingris, Troy Rosario, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood, Matt Ganuelas Rosser, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro, and Terrence Romeo.