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| Can the "SEABA 12's" great skill set land them the SEABA gold? Coach Chot thinks so. (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
LUCENA--If there is one key factor that helped Coach Chot Reyes in selecting his Gilas lineup for the SEABA Men's Championship, that would be the players' capability to play all-around basketball.
"I think it's very balanced and versatile. It has size," Reyes told some reporters at the Quezon Convention Center on Friday night following his announcement of his "SEABA 12".
Four guards, four wingmen, and four big guys were called up for the SEABA tourney on May 12-18, but their wide range of offensive and defensive arsenals gave them an edge over their fellow pool members.
On why he insisted on calling his lineup the "SEABA 12", Reyes explained, "I told the players to keep working hard, because if we win SEABA, then they have the FIBA Asia [Cup], the Southeast Asian Games, and the World Cup Qualifiers," hinting that roster shakeups will still be expected especially come the SEA Games and the FIBA Asia Cup that are both scheduled almost at the same time, which could prompt Gilas to field in two different 12-man squads.
Reyes added that the said players will be released from their mother sides so that they can focus solely on the Gilas practice.
"The absence of these players is going to be a big sacrifice for their PBA clubs, but I'm very happy that everyone is pulling together," he further said.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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