Black plans Inspire grind

MANILA, Philippines —  Gilas coach Norman Black is hoping to schedule at least 20 days of practice, including a possible two-week grind at Inspire in Calamba, before the national team leaves to compete at the SEA Games in Bangkok in December.  He had planned to call his first practice today but cancelled it to await the arrival of players from overseas and different leagues.

Now that the SEA Games Organizing Committee has confirmed the “passports only” policy as its eligibility guideline, Black said he’s finally put an imprint on his 12-man roster.  Heading the cast are naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.  Others in the cast are Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi, Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso, Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Wright, Bobby Ray Parks, Veejay Pre, Remy Martin and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

Phillips and Ladi will complete their UAAP obligations before joining the squad.  It’s the same situation with Brickman and Ildefonso who’re still playing in MPBL.  Ravena, Martin and Parks are coming from abroad to check in a month before the SEA Games begin.  Wright is in town and while not playing in Japan, remains under contract in the B-League this season.  Pre is undergoing residency at UP and available to play.  Rosser will address Black’s priority to secure another big man.

Brownlee has commitments with Meralco in EASL and Gilas in the coming FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window but also signed to play for the SEA Games.  Kouame is in France and ready to fly back here.  Martin saw action for Arizona State and University of Kansas in the US NCAA D1 and is coming off a stellar performance in the Iceland Subway League where he was the top scorer with a 24.6 average.

Black said there will be twice-a-day practices to familiarize the players with each other and his system.  Depending on when the UAAP and MPBL seasons end, he said Phillips, Ladi, Brickman and Ildefonso will catch up with the training schedule.

“I’ve seen Pre play when San Beda scrimmaged with FEU twice,” said Black.  “He’s a big guy with guard skills and very talented.  We need Phillips’ size, energy and rebounding.  I asked permission from (PBA Chairman) Mr. (Ricky) Vargas to borrow Brandon from TNT.”