GILAS Pilipinas is very much intact as it continues to train for the upcoming FIBA Asia Qualifiers later this month.
Five days into training, the Nationals are slowly but surely gaining steam as most members of the pool are constantly taking part in the practice sessions thus far.
Usual Gilas suspects June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario and Calvin Abueva, along with Matthew Wright, Raymund Almazan, Allein Maliksi, Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, Kevin Alas and Kiefer Ravena are the regulars, while Japeth Aguilar was also in attendance to start the camp last Friday.
Naturalized star Andray Blatche is set to arrive early next week to join the team, while ace guard Terrence Romeo is likewise expected to join the team the soonest after his promotional obligations outside the country.
The Gilas quintet face Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 24 to start its campaign before heading back home on the 27th to take on Chinese Taipei in front of its home crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
National coach Chot Reyes’ squad will continue its intensive training in the next two weeks to make sure it will be in the best possible shape heading to the all-important games.
The team is holding its practices at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas behind closed doors to prevent it from being scouted and exposed.