Chot: Final Gilas lineup out July 11

Chot Reyes. Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA

The failure of Gilas-Pilipinas to defend its Jones Cup title in Taipei can work both ways for the national five.

“It’s true that we won’t be seeing them (the Fiba Asia teams playing in the Jones Cup),” Reyes told the Inquirer. “But the good thing about it is that they also won’t be seeing us.”

Reyes and his 13-man pool will leave for New Zealand on July 9 for the final phase of their preparations for the Fiba Asia championship, slated Aug. 1 to 11 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

“They won’t be able to scout us (in New Zealand), but we can scout them on video (in the Jones Cup),” Reyes said.

The mentor added that he will submit his final lineup to the Fiba Asia organizing committee at the “last possible moment” to give his squad the element of surprise needed in the World Championship qualifier.

“We would like to keep our cards close to our chest,” he said. “Not being invited to the Jones Cup will keep everyone in the dark, as far as the our team’s composition is concerned. Let’s keep it that way for as long as we can.”

Fiba Asia has set a July 12 deadline and Reyes will transmit his final 12 to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas the day before.

The firebrand coach will cut three players from what is now just a 15-man pool that includes Sonny Thoss and Greg Slaughter.

The duo won’t be able to join the New Zealand trip with Slaughter unable to secure a leave from his studies at Ateneo and Thoss recently losing his father.

Meanwhile, SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan yesterday signed a covenant with the Metro Manila Development Authority and the cities of Pasay, Manila and Makati to ensure smooth hosting of the 16-nation event.

“It goes without saying that we need their support,” Pangilinan said before signing the agreement at Dusit Hotel in Makati.

MMDA chair Francis Tolentino graced the occasion along with Pasay City administrator Dennis Acorda, who represented Mayor Antonio Calixto, and the representatives of Mayor Joseph Estrada of Manila and Mayor Jun Jun Binay of Makati.