FILE – Gilas Pilipinas forward Carl Tamayo shoots during a game against India in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena. Photo by Fiba
MANILA, Philippines—Former UP star Carl Tamayo has pulled out of Gilas Pilipinas’ build-up for the Fiba World Cup.
“Today we got word that Carl is going to beg off because he does not think he is going to be healthy to go through the entire process,” national coach Chot Reyes revealed shortly after practice at Meralco Gym on Monday night.
“And we respect that. [Although] that’s one person less,” he went on.
Tamayo is coming off his first professional season with the newly-minted Japan B.League champions Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Reyes noted that Tamayo is not significantly hurt by any injury but cited the young forward’s need to strengthen his knee—a process that should take weeks.
“His MRI did not show any significant injury, but he needs to get some work done on his knee,” he said. “He needs to get some [platelet-rich plasma therapy] next week and that’s going to take another week to be strong enough to work out.”
“[By] that time [comes] it would be too late for Lithuania,” he added. “So he’s basically informed our trainer Dexter (Aseron) that he’s not going to make the trip. So we’re planning for that [scenario].”
Gilas is scheduled to leave for Estonia on June 22 for a slew of tune-up games to prepare for the World Cup that the Philippines is cohosting beginning August 26.
The Nationals are penciled to fly to Lithuania on July 1 and take on local pro clubs there as part of the build-up.
Reyes said that Tamayo’s absence is something the Gilas brain trust has actually prepared for.
“Are we going to replace him? The pool [has] no hard and fast number, [so] we can always add or subtract guys from the pool.”
“The question, right now, is we’re preparing for Lithuania. So I don’t think there’s enough time to get somebody in, get his visa—all of that—for Lithuania. But that’s why we’ve got a pool, because of [such] things,” he said.
A total of 10 players trained on Monday: two-time World Cuppers June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, AJ Edu, Ange Kouame, Chris Newsome, Poy Erram, CJ Perez, and Rhenz Abando.
Gilas will continue training at Meralco before heading for Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, beginning June 17.