PBA board gives go-signal for twice-a-week Gilas training

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial announces in a press conference that Gilas will do a twice-to-week practice ahead of the FIBA World Cup. Dennis Acosta

By Xy-Zha Cabanlong

PASAY--It is a go for a twice-a-week morning training sessions for Gilas Pilipinas from June to July in preparation of the FIBA World Cup.

This was the announcement made by Commissioner Willie Marcial before the start of the Game 5 of the semifinal series between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and San Miguel Beermen.

Marcial added that the board has yet to discuss and decide on Coach Yeng Guiao's request to hold daily training sessions by August as it would coincide with the PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs.

"Pwedeng gamitin ni Coach Yeng yung mga players ng 10 teams na na-out na. Pero kung buong team, buong Gilas line-up, titignan pa natin kung paano maaayos. Pero all-out support na ang board." Says the Commissioner.

Commissioner Marcial also added that Guiao will submit the 14-man line up that he needs for the training pool before June and that Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio has presented in the onset that the core of the Gilas team that played Kazakhstan will be kept intact.

"Tinitignan nila si Remy Martin pati si Jordan Clarkson kung pwede. Yan ang mga adjustment ni Coach Yeng pero yung core, ayun na yun." Marcial added.

A Gilas contingent will also be going to Russia around August 20 to spend 2-3 days there and invite teams that can possibly come to Manila to test the waters of our players for the upcoming FIBA competition.

Gilas management also reached out to Australia and invited them for a tune-up game.

However, Australia cannot commit due to their already full schedule.

Possible tune-ups will either be New Zealand or Korea.

Marcial also mentioned that he shares the sentiment of Coach Yeng Guiao that time is the biggest challenge in putting the Gilas team together because it is never enough to gel the team together, given that some of the players would still be playing for their respective teams before National Team duties.

On the other hand, PBA will be doing its best to adjust the schedules of their games to help Guiao to get the players that he needs for the national team.

"Pag natapos ng maaga yung semis, adjust agad tayo para mabigay kay Coach Yeng yung mga players."

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