GREAT MISFORTUNE
We’ll wait for them for one or two more days. But if they don’t report after that, then we’ll come up with a decision
Shortly after dropping its bid to secure the services of Jordan Clarkson, Gilas Pilipinas suffered another blow as two players crashed with injuries while three stalwarts have yet to report for training with barely two weeks before competing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
Gunner Matthew Wright suffered a right peroneal tendon sprain while slotman Poy Erram sustained a sprained right ankle during their half-court scrimmage Monday night at the Meralco gym in Pasig City. Wright and Erram are tipped to make the final cut. Wright’s deadeye shooting allows him to serve as a floor-spacer while Erram is being groomed to hound pivotmen inside and outside the shaded lane.
But with their injuries, Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao will have to wait a little longer before training with a full lineup.
“It’s not a high ankle injury like what I previously suffered. It’s nothing serious. I think I can play it. Let’s see if I can play it tomorrow or still needs another day of rest,” said Erram, who plays a crucial role in training being the designated defender of Andray Blatche. “But I can still feel some pain.” Meanwhile, five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario have yet to show up for training three days after figuring in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals series.
Guiao said the trio might have been exhausted from the tough series that stretched up to Game 6 before San Miguel Beer ran away with the title.
But should Fajardo, Pogoy and Rosario still fail to show up in the next couple of days, he will have no choice but to come up with a decision.
“We’ll wait for them for one or two more days. But if they don’t report after that, then we’ll come up with a decision,” said Guiao, whose wards flew for a 10-day buildup in Spain without the Fajardo, Pogoy and Rosario as well as Raymund Almazan who failed to secure his Spanish visa.
“It would be a shame if the days go to waste, but we can’t force them. We all know that they just came from the finals so maybe they know how they feel; they know what their bodies require. So we’re giving them the benefit of the doubt.”
Guiao, however, asserted that their chemistry had improved and they are slowly picking up momentum, making them ready for the prestigious 32-nation showpiece that kicks off on 31 August in the southern Chinese city of Foshan.
“We’re doing well really. Actually some of you guys are witnessed to our practices. We’re doing a lot better now. We’re getting the chemistry, the cohesion that was good for us,” Guiao said.
Prior to that, Guiao told Daily Tribune that they had already dropped their quest for Clarkson’s services as time runs out with no significant update from all parties involved like the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Cleveland Cavaliers, Clarkson’s camp and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
The World Cup could have been Clarkson’s second tour of duty for the Philippines.
He first suited up in the 18th Asian Games last year, powering the Filipinos to a fifth-place finish that is their best performance since emerging fourth in the Busan edition in 2002.
But suiting up in a FIBA tourney is way more difficult than that of the Asian Games.
In FIBA tournaments, a competitor must secure passport of the country he wishes to represent before turning 16 years old. Otherwise, his classification would be tagged as naturalized player, a role that is reserved for Blatche.
The federation tried to “quietly work” for his eligibility but nothing significant happened, prompting Guiao to announce that they have to move on and make use of
available talents.
It’s not a high ankle injury like what I previously suffered. It’s nothing serious.