Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes has yet to name his 2017 Jones Cup roster but he bared that TNT’s stand-in import Mike Myers has agreed to beef up the Philippine team in the invitational tournament.
“We’re pretty set with Mike and he’s already agreed,” Reyes said on Tuesday at the conclusion of the national team’s evening session at Meralco Gym.
Myers was in attendance for the second straight practice, further bolstering Reyes’ decision to pick him as the Philippines’ reinforcement in Taiwan in late July.
Reyes said TNT import Joshua Smith and Star reinforcement Ricardo Ratliffe were also on Gilas’ radar, but different reasons hampered their chances from being chosen.
“We wanted to have Joshua Smith, but his injury prevents that from happening. He needs to play nine games in nine days and we don’t know if he’ll be able to do that,” he said.” It’s the same thing with the others, but I think they’re opting to play in the NBA Summer League.”
“Guys like Ratliffe want to rest and I don’t know if we can get him because Korea is also eyeing him. But at least for the Jones Cup, he said he wants to rest first,” he added.
That put the spotlight on Myers, who captivated Gilas’ management with his commitment to the squad in the two sessions he has appeared in.
Reyes added it all boiled down to Myers’ dedication.
“We like Mike’s attitude. He might not be the most talented, but the important thing is he’s willing to work with the young guys and work with us as well,” he said.