Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes dropped the hammer on erring pool members as he took Calvin Abueva and Raymond Almazan out of the national team pool for the second window of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The outspoken mentor said he had enough of the two not showing up in the weekly Monday practices at Meralco Gym.
“The reason why were dropping Abueva and Almazan for the second window is because they haven’t showed up. It’s already our third practice and they are still nowhere to be found. It’s simply a matter of disinterest,” said Reyes.
“I guess they’re not interested so we have to move on. If they don’t want to be a part of the pool, that’s the reason we’re dropping them for the second window. We can’t wait for those guys.”
Both Abueva and Almazan have not attended in the pool’s first three sessions since the national team resumed its practices.
“I don’t know if anyone told [Abueva and Almazan], but we made that announcement today. It’s been communicated with the team and the reason it’s not been communicated with them is because they’re not here. How can we communicate with them if they’re not here?,” a frustrated Reyes said.
Cutting Almazan and Abueva is also a message to the other players, who want to be part of the team.
Reyes said the players must be fully committed to the program if they want to make the team.
“I talked to the players earlier and I reminded them that the entire program is about the players’ desire to be here,” he said. “I think one of the reasons why we’re successful is because we have players who want to be here and put in the effort and dedication.”
Gilas Pilipinas is preparing for its pair of games beginning with Australia on February 22 in Melbourne, before facing Japan on February 25 at Mall of Asia Arena.