D2 Gilas has a slim chance vs Australia – Reyes
GILAS Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes admitted that there’s a remote chance the Philippines will beat Australia at the start of the second window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian Qualifiers on February 22, in Melbourne.
Reyes said it is a must to beef 71) and Chinese Taipei (90-83). up the conditioning of Gilas 5, Only the top three teams in each which will host Japan at the group will advance to the second Mall of Asia Arena on February round where they will join the other 25, three days after their match nine squads for another qualifying with the Australians. stage to be held from September to
Both the Philippines and AusFebruary 2019. The top seven teams tralia are unbeaten in Group B and in the second round will move to the winner of the February 22 game the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. will take the pole of the bracket. Gilas resumed its training last
“We know there is a very remote Monday at the Meralco gym where or slim chance to beat Australia. So, Reyes also invited the future memthe bigger concern really is Japan. bers of the PH 5 that might comFrom Melbourne, we are going to prise the national squad in the 2023 leave there by 23 and we’re going to edition of World Cup. arrive here in the country by afterReyes just named his 16-man pool noon or evening then we will play for the second window, including on the 25th,” said Reyes. naturalized player Andray Blatche.
“So, we really need to think The pool for the second window seriously about our conditionincludes Jayson Castro, Kiefer ing and preparation against JaRavena, Jio Jalalon, Kevin Alas, June pan,” he added. Mar Fajardo, Roger Pogoy, Raymond
Like the Filipinos, the Australians Almazan, Carl Bryan Cruz, Calvin swept their first two games in the Abueva, Mac Belo, Troy Rosario, first window after dominating ChiMatthew Wright, Japeth Aguilar, nese Taipei, 104-66, and Japan, 82Allein Maliksi and Gabe Norwood. 58, for a 2-0 start. The PH 5 strugBlatche is expected to join the gled to get a win against Japan (77- squad next month.