Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas is set for twice-a-week practices from June to July in preparation for the 2019 Fiba World Cup in Foshan.
The PBA Board of Governors unanimously voted to approve Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ proposal presented by its president Al Panlilio during a meeting at the PBA Office in Libis.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the national team would have morning practices on Mondays and Thursdays during the two months.
Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao requested for everyday practices as the World Cup draws closer, but with the playoffs for the Commissioner’s Cup set for August, the training schedule has yet to be finalized.
“We’ll still talk about the schedule for August because that’d be the semifinals and the finals,” said Marcial in Filipino Thursday at Cuneta Astrodome. “Coach Yeng can use the players from the 10 teams that did not qualify in the finals but as far as the complete attendance, we’ll still have to discuss it.”
“Nonetheless, the Board gave its full support for the national team.”
Marcial added that the core team that played in the last window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers was retained for the showdown in China in September.
The national team is set to travel to Russia on August 20 to play there for “two to three days,” and also bring some Russian teams to the Philippines to play scrimmages against.
There’s also a proposal to include the Clevaland Cavalier’s Jordan Clarkson and Arizona State’s Remy Martin to the lineup.