Gilas Pilipinas preparation for World Cup gets hectic

Gilas Pilipinas is fasttracking its final two weeks of preparation for the FIBA World Cup.

Coach Yeng Guiao said other than the national team’s daily practices, shooting drills and video watching are going to be incorporated in its training by next week.

Both activities won’t be on a daily basis however, as the Filipinos will still put more premium on their five-on-five drills.

“That’s going to be every other day siguro. So we’ll add more hours next week,” said Guiao after conducting the team’s practice at the Meralco gym in Ortigas Thursday night.

By the time Gilas undergoes extra hours for both activities, Guiao expects June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, and Roger Pogoy to finally rejoin the team as the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals between TnT Katropa and San Miguel Beer would have been over by then.

All three were exempted to go with the team during its 10-day training camp in Spain owing to the ongoing best-of-seven title series.

“We’re hoping by that time ready na rin yung tatlo na galing sa finals,” said Guiao.

The national coach could only hope Fajardo, Pogoy, and Rosario won’t have a difficult time adjusting again once they’ve integrated to the Gilas system again.

“I hope it’s a short period. I hope hindi sila masyadong matagalan doon sa adjustment nila,” he said. “But we all know what they’re going through. It’s a difficult time, but at the same time, it’s an exciting time,” said Guiao.

“So all of those would have a toll on their focus and concentration,” he added. “We’re just hoping that with the short time maka-adjust sila agad, makapag-pahinga sila agad, at maka-recover agad sila from the finals.”

The final week of the Gilas preparation for the World Cup is a hectic one.

Aside from its daily practices, the team is set to play two tune-up games with the visiting Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia.

Guiao hopes the Filipinos get to sustain the gains they’ve earned during the Spain training camp where they played Congo and Ivory Coast in tune-up matches and a mini pocket tournament.

By August 29, Gilas leaves for Foshan, China for the world championship.