Gilas moving, sets training sked

MANILA, Philippines — For Gilas coach Yeng Guiao, celebration for their World Cup entry is over, and it’s now time to move forward and face the new challenge of preparing for the world joust in China on Aug. 30 to Sept. 15.

Guiao said they would start planning and set the timeline of training after the World Cup drawing of lots to determine the groupings of the 32 competing teams. The draw is set March 16 in Shenzhen, China.

He said it’s a bit unfortunate his wish for Gilas to play in the Jones Cup can’t be granted as well as their desire for Andray Blatche to be allowed to play as import in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

But Guiao said he’s open to the other options, knowing the PBA has sacrificed more than enough.

“I don’t want the PBA sacrificing to the point of losing almost a conference or losing the purpose for which the 12 PBA teams were organized which is to provide year-round entertainment for the public,” said Guiao. “We must strike a balance where we can serve the World Cup and at the same time not disrupt the PBA schedule too much. They’ve sacrificed too much as it is.”

Guiao is looking to play games close to the level of competition they’re facing in the World Cup. Another key issue for the national coach is getting Blatche early for at least a two-month preparation for the China conclave.

“The issue is how do we keep Blatche in good physical shape. My worry is after his China commitments, Andray is going back to the US, and for how long, we don’t know. The problem when he’s not competing, there’s the chance he would go out of shape,” said Guiao.

“A good option is to get him early, and we compete in games close to the level of the World Cup,” Guiao added.

The national mentor said the Jones Cup should have been a good training tourney.

Instead, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas may arrange a pocket tournament or friendly matches versus teams from another World Cup groupings.

“The Jones Cup level of competition is high as it’s really a competition. The problem with a pocket tourney is that you don’t feel the pressure that is close to the pressure that you feel in the World Cup. There’s mind-conditioning when you play under pressure. We have to derive that from other sources,” said Guiao.

But Guiao said they have the time to plan.