Gilas still lacking time for third window preparations

Gilas Pilipinas will just have to settle for what its handed as it prepares to head into the third window of the Fiba 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

Head coach Chot Reyes submitted to the fact that he won’t have a complete team and that he can’t have daily practices until the team arrives in Taipei a few days before their game against Chinese-Taipei on June 29.

“I’ve already removed the word ‘preparation’ from my mind because that is already a dream for me, actually I’ve taken that word out of my vocabulary,” said Reyes in Filipino Thursday at Holiday Inn.

“We’d love to have more time but the reality is we don’t afford that kind of luxury.”

Reyes was in attendance during the thanksgiving dinner for the Philippine teams that competed in the Fiba 3×3 World Cup and he said that Gilas will only have daily practices starting June 25 when the team gets to Taipei.

The only time Gilas get to practice is the weekly Monday sessions and even then the team isn’t complete as players are also busy with their mother teams in the PBA.

“When we get to Taipei that will be the first practice we will have as a full team,” said Reyes. “And the daily practices will only last four days.”

Gilas is at the second spot of Group B with a 3-1 record, half-a-game behind leader Australia, and is already qualified for the second round of the qualifiers.

Reyes, though, doesn’t think want to settle with the fact that they’re already eligible for the next round.

“This last window is all about improving our position in the next round so we’re not even thinking about the fact that we’re qualified,” said Reyes. “We’re thinking of moving deeper into the competition and that’s how important these next two games are.”

After playing in Taipei, Gilas will then travel back to the Philippines and host Australia on July 2 at Philippine Arena.