PBA pool for Phl team named soon
Newly designated national basketball team coach Chot Reyes said yesterday he hopes to assemble sooner than later a cast of 16 to 18 PBA players who will form the elite pool to join forces with the cadet group from the Southeast Asian Games champion Sinag squad for the Gilas II project.
Reyes hesitated to name a wish list of PBA players so as not to preempt the choices of his coaching staff made up of Jong Uichico, Norman Black, Ryan Gregorio and Olsen Racela. “We’ve invited Tim (Cone) to join the staff and we’re waiting for his reply,” said Reyes. “As soon as we hear from Tim, we’ll call for a coaches meeting to name the elite pool within two to three days. Then, we’ll sit down with (PBA) commissioner (Chito) Salud to present the list for his clearance before submitting it to the Board of Governors for approval. We’re hoping to put together the best team possible.”
Reyes said Gilas II’S goal is to qualify for the FIBA World Championships in Madrid in 2014. “If we make it, then we’ll aim higher for our next goal, to play in the 2016 Olympics,” he said. “We’re bidding to host the 2013 FIBA-ASIA Championships where the top three placers advance to the World Championships. This year, we’re planning to participate in the Jones Cup, Champions Cup and Stankovic Cup. Since we expect to finish the PBA season in August, we’ll probably pick up players from eliminated teams for the Jones Cup in July. Right now, we’re waiting for FIBA-ASIA to send us the schedule of tournaments so we can plan our moves. We’ll be clearing everything with commissioner Salud and the Board. We foresee no major disruptions in bringing out players from the PBA this year but next year will be different. We hope the mother teams agree to loan their players to the national team when the need arises. It’s critical for the national team to practice regularly and play internationally.” Reyes, 48, said he never applied for the Gilas II job. “I was perfectly happy assisting coach Rajko (Toroman),” he said. “I didn’t look for the job, it was offered. I might be foolish in accepting it but it’s hard to turn your back on something like this. The last time I was the national coach, the experience wasn’t pleasant. We were in a bad group and caught in a bad format. In the eliminations during my time, only the top two advanced. Last year, the top three advanced. But this might be fate. I started in the PBA (with Coney Island) in 1993 so I’m moving into my 20th year. Even before this job came up, I was entertaining thoughts of retiring from the PBA as part of my personal evolution. I wanted to go out on my own terms not because I can’t win anymore or I’m no longer needed. I thought it was time to do other things, not only as a PBA coach I’ve been involved in things other than coaching and it may be time to move on.”
Reyes said naturalized player Marcus Douthit, now seeing action for Air 21 as an import in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, is sure to play for Gilas II. “He’s signed up until the end of the year,” said Reyes. “Marcus is committed to us. As for Javale Mcgee, we talked to him during the NBA lockout and at the time, he signified intent to play for Gilas II. It’s a realistic thing. Obviously, to make it happen, first, we’ve got to work on his naturalization with Congress and the Senate and second, we need to find out the conditions imposed by his mother NBA team.”
Reyes said the key players from the Sinag squad will comprise Gilas II’S cadet pool. “Not all of the Sinag players will be in the cadet pool,” he noted. “There will be a selection. In the same way, we will pick 16 to 18 PBA players for the elite pool. We want them to play together.”
Reyes said he’s not aware if Gilas skipper Chris Tiu will apply for the coming PBA draft. “I’m not sure what Chris is planning but from what I know, he wants to continue playing for the national team,” said Reyes. “As for Aldrech (Ramos), I think he’s joining the draft. But even if Chris and Aldrech join the PBA, they could still be in our elite pool.”
Reyes said he took his first crack as national coach after piloting Coca-cola to four straight PBA finals in 2002-03. He picked up two titles with Coca-cola during the surge. But Reyes couldn’t take the Philippines to the FIBA-ASIA Championships until 2007 after FIBA lifted the country’s two-year suspension. As a PBA coach, Reyes has captured eight titles, four with Talk ‘N’ Text and two each with Coca-cola and Purefoods.