Gilas mainstays lead low-key training Wednesday night
Old Gilas Pilipinas mainstays Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Gary David led a handful of players who showed up in a workout with national coach Tab Baldwin Wednesday night at the Meralco Gym, ahead of the supposed formal announcement of the makeup of the national pool on Monday.
Alaska players Sonny Thoss and Dondon Hontiveros, Globalport’s Terrence Romeo, Barako Bull’s JC Intal, Talk n Text’s Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, NLEX’s Asi Taulava and Aldrech Ramos and pro-bound Troy Rosario also sweated it out with the group.
Coaches Alex Compton, Norman Black, Jong Uichico and Nash Racela were also present, helping Baldwin run the drills.
Conspicuously missing were the likes of June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio, Marc Pingris, Jeff Chan and Paul Lee.
Tenorio has begged off from joining the pool, citing fatigue, injury and poor form as his reasons.
READ: Tenorio begs off from nat’l team duties due to fatigue, injury
Fajardo and Pingris, meanwhile, have hinted their unavailability for different reasons.
Still uncertain is the answer of Rain or Shine management on Baldwin’s request for the services of Chan and Lee.
Things could be clear by Monday when the PBA is expected to officially name the aspirants for the team vying for honors in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha city in Hunan, China starting Sept. 3.
Naturalized player Andray Blatche anchors the team in the Asian joust that serves as the regional qualifier for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
READ: SBP: Blatche will play for Gilas
Philippines must improve on its second-place finish in Manila in 2013 if it were to make its first Olympic appearance since the 1972 Games in Munich. (SB)
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