FIBA WORLD CUP No rest for Gilas PH cagers to hold twice-a-day practices in Doha

Gilas Pilipinas will have twice-a-day practices starting today in Doha ahead of the final phase of preparation for the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

The national cagers left for the Qatari capital yesterday where they’ll meet with naturalized player Andray Blatche who went straight from a short stay in Beijing, China.

Coach Yeng Guiao said the rigorous schedule is to get Blatche up to speed before Gilas faces Qatar on Thursday evening.

“The next day, we’ll start practicing twice-a-day until game time,” said Guiao. “We have several days, so we’ll take full advantage of that. We’ll watch the videos and we’ll scout our opponents.”

Aside from Qatar, the national team will likewise take on Kazakhstan in Astana on Feb. 24.

The national team needs to win both games to assure qualification for the World Cup slated later this month in China.

Gilas is in fourth place in Group F behind Australia (9-1), Iran (7-3) and Japan (6-4). A setback to Qatar will give Gilas a 50-50 chance of qualifying.

The Philippines was put in a difficult predicament after losing both home games in the fifth window against Kazakhstan (92-88) and Iran (78-70).

“Everybody is serious about the preparation. Everybody’s trying to make a contribution and ang tingin ko lahat naman sila ready na at this point,” said Guiao. (Everybody is serious about the preparation. Everybody’s trying to make a contribution and I think everybody’s ready at this point.)

Aside from Blatche, the other members of the Gilas pool are June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Poy Erram, Mark Barroca, Jayson Castro, Scottie Thompson, Marcio Lassiter, Gabe Norwood, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Roger Pogoy and Thirdy Ravena.

Ravena of two-time UAAP champion Ateneo is the only amateur player in the roster.