Gilas seniors begin practice with cadets

The Gilas seniors and the Gilas Cadets joined forces as the practice sessions resume. Ivan Saldajeno

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--The Gilas pool for the February FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window has officially begun.

And joining the PBA all-star crew is some members of the "23 for '23".

The Gilas seniors and the college players of the Gilas Cadets had a joint training session at the Meralco Gym on Monday night.

Eleven of the PBA veterans chosen for Gilas' games against Australia and Japan on Feb. 22 and 25 respectively, namely Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Alas, Mac Belo, Jayson Castro, Carl Cruz, Jio Jalalon, Allein Maliksi, Gabe Norwood, RR Pogoy, Kiefer Ravena, and Troy Rosario took part in the drills and the set playmaking session.

Matt Wright was also in attendance, but he was relegated to an observer as he is still recovering from an injury that he suffered in Phoenix's game against NLEX on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, 10 of the collegiate players chosen to the Gilas Cadets pool took part the practice in JJay Alejandro, Jeo Ambohot, Robert Bolick, Kenmark Cariño, Paul Desiderio, Isaac Go, Juan Gomez De Liaño, Javee Mocon, CJ Perez, and Thirdy Ravena. They also joined the playsetting and the shooting drills.

Also in attendance were Josh Sinclair and Arvin Tolentino, but they also sat out the practice proper.

Ricci Rivero, among the three La Salle players who had to be pulled out of the cadets pool prospects for the meantime due to the coaching change, was also present but like Sinclair and Tolentino had to be a spectator.

Also in attendance were Gilas manager Butch Antonio, SBP president Al Panlilio, chairman Sonny Angara, vice chairman Robbie Puno, executive director Sonny Barrios, and chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan.

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