GILAS PILIPINAS STARTS LITHUANIA BOOT CAMP
Members of Gilas Pilipinas start their twice-a-day, two-week training in Lithuania Tuesday, having settled in their rooms at Hotel Vanagupe in the seaside resort town of Palanga late Monday after a long, tiring 24-hour trip from Manila.
They had a good night’s sleep and caught on TV early Tuesday morning (Lithuanian time) Game Seven of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers.
Some returned to bed after the match, energizing themselves for the extensive training that’s about to start in their boot camp in this former Russian republic.
“We came here liking each other. We will eat, sleep, and train together for 15 days until we grow sick and tired of each other. Warts and all,” said national coach Chot Reyes on his Twitter account.
“Thirty practices in 15 days away from our families. It will not be easy. But this is what we signed up for – for history,” Reyes also said.
The idea is to bond together and get in best shape for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in August where Gilas Pilipinas vies for a slot in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
To help the PHL team in its Lithuanian buildup is coach Kestutis Kemzura, who piloted Lithuania to the bronze medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey.
The 42-year-old Kemzura, Russian national coach David Blatt’s long-time assistant, will conduct clinics for Gilas during the camp.
Part of Gilas’ program in Lithuania is a six-game series against tough Lithuanian squads.
Gilas will play the European champion Lithuanian national Under-20 team twice and the LSU Baltai club of Kaunas also twice. Other squads set to face Gilas are Tripedas Neptunas and Birstono Jazz Diremta.
Reyes, with team manager Butch Antonio and assistant coaches Jong Uichico and Josh Reyes, brought to the trip pool members Marcus Douthit, JuneMar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, LA Tenorio, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier, Gary David and Japeth Aguilar.
Late addition Beau Belga had just applied for visa. Once cleared, he will take the first available flight to be with the team. (SB)
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