Loaded Luzon All-Stars out to give Gilas all it could handle

Coach Leo Austria poses with Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, and their wives during the 2017 PBA All-Star Week in Lucena. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net

LUCENA — Despite having a loaded Luzon All-Stars roster, coach Leo Austria’s side is taking on Gilas Pilipinas without any formal practice sessions.

“Since the other day, I’m trying to have a schedule of practice but the players are too busy and there’s a lot in their schedule, especially with the outreach programs and their rehearsal for the dance number because they really want to please the crowd,” he bared on Thursday.

As much as he’d like to squeak in a short training, there’s nothing Austria can do now but to bank on the sheer talent and familiarity of his wards as they try to give a youthful national team side all that it could handle.

“I think with their talents, we can compete in tomorrow’s game because I believe that these players want to help Gilas by playing seriously,” he said. “I’m just trying to communicate with the players and I want to preserve their energy. Then maybe tomorrow, we’ll go to the venue early and tackle our gameplan.”

Gilas pool members Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, and Japeth Aguilar will be with the Luzon All-Stars, together with former national team campaigners Paul Lee, LA Tenorio, Ranidel de Ocampo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Mark Caguioa, and Jay Washington.

Alex Cabagnot and Stanley Pringle complete the stars from up north.

Despite the lack of preparations of his star-studded squad, Austria said that the Luzon All-Stars are coming to the Quezon Convention Center with one goal in mind.

“We want to win,” he said. “I want to give the players the freedom to expose their talents because that’s what’s All-Star is all about. At the same time, it’s the only way we could help Gilas in their preparation.”