Gilas diminished with absence of Paul Lee
Gilas Pilipinas veterans Jayson Castro and LA Tenorio are one in saying that the absence of Paul Lee will be a concern in their preparation for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) set July 5 to 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Lee formally pulled out of the national team training pool on Tuesday as he is set to undergo a third Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure on his left knee despite playing like he was injury-free in Rain or Shine’s title victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last week.
Castro, who played with Lee during the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, said Lee’s skill set will definitely be missed in the qualifiers.
“Kita naman natin nung FIBA World, outside or inside kaya nya,” Castro said of the newly-crowned Finals Most Valuable Player of the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Hindi naman namin kayang punuan yung pagka-wala ni Paul, pero gagawa at gagawa ng paraan sina coach Tab. Kapag sinabi mong Paul Lee, mahirap palitan yun.”
Castro can relate to Lee’s situation, having forced to skip the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea because of an injured ankle.
“Ganun talaga nangyayari yung injury e,” said Castro. “Ang mami-miss namin kay Paul is yung competitiveness nya. Kasi maski sa practice competitive sya. Gusto nya kung ano yung ilalaro nya, ganun din sya sa ensayo. Sa amin naman, kung sino yung mga andito, kailangan mag-trabaho.”
Tenorio shares the same sentiments, knowing that Lee would have been a huge addition to the national team in the OQT, where the champion team earns a spot to the Rio Olympics.
“Malaking bagay na nawala si Paul. I think aside from Jayson, Paul is the perfect player na fit talaga sa system na ito. I think coach Tab could attest to that, na this system is i-ikot talaga kay Paul Lee at Jayson Castro,” said Tenorio.
“Yung dalawang guards ang inaabangan talaga e. I think that’s the best guard tandem na makikita sana natin kasi di natin nakita sa FIBA Asia yun. Sayang, It’s another setback, step back na naman para sa amin, lalo na kung kami-kami ulit ang magkakasama.” “I’d rather na makasama din si Paul but he has to do the therapy. Sayang. Mapapadali sana sa mga leader dito o datihan kasi pag nagsasama-sama kami ng mga yan, dalawa o tatlong practice, ok na kami. Ganun ka-instinctive na pag nagkampi kami, magkakilala na kami automatic. Sayang talaga na wala si Paul,” added Tenorio.
The absence of Lee leaves Baldwin with five guard prospects for the 12man national team roster in the OQT, including PBA players Castro, Tenorio, Ryan Reyes and Terrence Romeo, and amateur stalwart Kiefer Ravena.
Also, the likes of Gabe Norwood and Ray Parks Jr. are both capable of orchestrating plays of Gilas Pilipinas.
Aside from Lee, 7-footer Greg Slaughter and 6-foot-5 forward Matt Ganuelas-Rosser already begged off because to injuries. Slaughter will have surgery this week to remove bone spurs on his ankle while Ganuelas-Rosser went under the knife for his injured knee a few weeks ago.
Rain or Shine management has offered the services of 6-foot-7 Raymond Almazan to the national team. The former Letran stalwart is expected to attend practice sessions in the coming days.