With 12 more players added to the Gilas Pilipinas 24-man pool, the team continued with its preparations and with Chot Reyes set to coach all of its scheduled games in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ fourth window.
Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson and Arvin Tolentino, Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang, San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan, NorthPort’s Robert Bolick and former Terrafirma forward Roosevelt Adams made the pool.
The 24-man roster will be trimmed to 12 players when Team Philippines meets the Lebanon Cedars on Monday in Beirut. After that, Gilas clashes with Saudi Arabia at the Mall of Asia Arena on Aug. 29, Monday.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director and spokesman Sonny Barrios said that Reyes will be coaching Gilas in both games.
As for Reyes’ responsibilities as coach of the Talk N Text Tropang Giga, who are in the finals of the 2022 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup, it will be up to team management if he will be present during any of the games of the best-of-seven finals.
“For now, Chot (Reyes) will coach both Gilas games,” said Barrios in an interview with the Manila Standard.
Barrios earlier said that its’s up to TNT team management to make a final decision on the status of their coach as discussions are currently going on if Reyes can also handle the TNT Tropang Giga’s championships matches in between.
The matches in Philippine Cup finals are scheduled close to the games of the fourth window, with Game 1 set on Aug. 19, Friday.
Game 2 is on August 21 (Sunday), while Game 3 is slated on the Aug. 24 (Wednesday), followed by Game 4 on Aug. 26 (Friday).
Gilas currently has a 2-2 win-loss record in the Group E standings of the second window to remain in contention for the main draw.
The practice sessions have started Monday under the supervision of Reyes at the Meralco gym.
Kai Sotto is expected to be around with Fil-American cager Jordan Clarkson in the next two days.
Ravena brothers Kiefer and Thirdy were among the first to have showed up in the scrimmages with Bobby Ray Parks, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, and Francis Lopez.
