Despite incomplete pool, Gilas Pilipinas steps up preps for Fiba World Cup

Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao during the World Cup Trophy tour on Thursday. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas is set to rev up its preparation for the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup with daily practices starting on Monday and a trip to Spain weeks before the start of the tournament.

Head coach Yeng Guiao said naturalized center Andray Blatche will also undergo a harder regimen than the rest of the Gilas players.

Blatche, who arrived in the Philippines with a few inches added around his waist, will practice with Guiao’s PBA club team NLEX in the morning before joining the rest of the Gilas in the evening.

The only problem Guiao has with the national team’s preparation is the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup where nine of his players are in the semifinals.

“Right now we’re in the middle of our preparation and we’re looking to get it over with the PBA playoffs so we can have the national team players committed to the practice,” said Guiao during the press conference of the Fiba World Cup Naismith Trophy Tour at Meralco Compound Friday.

“Right now that’s been our limitation is the ongoing PBA semifinals.”

On top of the daily practices, the national team will also travel to Guadalajara to play two friendlies with Congo and Ivory Coast in preparation for a pocket tournament to Malaga.

The national team would then play another game with Congo and in the event of a win would match up against the winner between Spain and Ivory Coast in the final.

Gilas team manager Gabby Cui said Spain would have its NBA players such as brothers Marc and Pau Gasol in the mini tournament.

Guiao, however, won’t have its full roster in Spain since the finals of the Commissioner’s Cup would then be underway during that time.

The national team will only have its full roster during its tune-up games against Australian club team Adelaide 36ers on Aug.23 and 25, four days before it leaves for China on Auggust 29.