Gilas coach Guiao worried over availability of players

National coach Yeng Guiao and Gilas Pilipinas are looking at two must-win road games against Qatar and Kazakhstan in the Fiba Asia World Cup qualifying tournament.

And much to their worry, they are again dealing with player availability during practices.

“I’m very concerned, because can you imagine, the only time we’ll see them compete [as a unit] is in the games itself,” Guiao told reporters on Tuesday, shortly after the team’s second straight practice at Meralco Gym.

Luckily, there’s a reason to be optimistic over the matches slated Feb. 22 and 24. For starters, Andray Blatche is back.

“We are getting there,” he told reporters on Tuesday after wrapping up practice. “We are getting better chemistry. Andray is getting more familiar with the plays.”