Bobby Parks and Kiefer Ravena are among those who will be forgoing a chance to go pro for the GIlas cadets program. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Already short in preparation, Gilas Pilipinas faces another hump with Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks passing up the opportunity to don the national tri-colors for the 2016 Fiba Asia Challenge Cup.
No less than coach Josh Reyes confirmed the development as the team continued its buildup on Wednesday night.
“They weren’t in the practice from day one, so really, all the preparations we’re ready for them to not be a part of it,” he said.
Ravena and Parks were included in the Gilas 4.0’s training for the 2016 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament here, with Parks even getting a nod to be a part of the final 12.
However, both of them skipped this chance and rather went to the United States to continue on their respective personal trainings.
Reyes, though, isn’t worrying much when it comes to the team’s leadership as he still have Kevin Ferrer and Mac Belo actively participating in the pool’s practices.
“For the longest time now, Kevin and Mac Belo have been the leaders of this group. So I don’t think there will be a leadership void,” he said.
Three weeks away from the tournament, Reyes believes that the coaching staff has done what it could to implement the system it wants to the pool, which is made up of amateur standouts.
“We’ve gotten along as far as we could have. Given the circumstances, we’ve been progressing really well. That’s partly to do with most of the guys have been under me before and most of them are familiar with the system, so that helps a lot,” he said. “Despite all the challenges, I think things are progressing as good as they can be.”
Reyes and team manager Butch Antonio said that the 12-man roster will be announced on August 25 before the team flies for Tehran, Iran on September 6.
Gilas is slotted at Group B with Chinese Taipei and India in the 12-team tournament which will run from September 9 to 18.