Gilas training in Tagaytay

Gilas Pilipinas resumes its buildup for the 2019 FIBA World Cup homeand-away qualifiers today in Tagaytay City, hoping to gain significant strides despite absorbing a loss to Alab Pilipinas in a tune-up game over the weekend.

The national team is scheduled to remain in the city located near the famous Taal Volcano until Wednesday with an aim at reaching peak form before opening its qualification bid against Japan on Nov. 24 in Tokyo.

Coach Chot Reyes expressed disappointment over Gilas’ performance Saturday when it fell 81-76 to Alab Pilipinas at the Meralco gym, the team’s first scrimmage after staging twice-a-day practices since last week.

Reyes, however, would like to use whatever time he and his coaching staff has in order to make Gilas a welloiled machine before the Japan duel.