Gilas-Pilipinas faces old problem

NOW that the Ginebra Gin Kings’ and coach Tim Cone are out of the PBA Philippine Cup title playoff, he can give more focus in preparing Gilas-Pilipinas in next month’s FIBA Asia Cup.

But wait?.. it seems the Nationals are hounded again with an old recurring problem…players’ availability… The team having some issues as far as practicing together as a team is concerned.

This has been causing Cone a big headache ever since he assumed the post. Though he had instructed assistants Sean Chambers and Richard del Rosario to conduct practice session two weeks ago, should his Gin Kings would make the title playoffs.

What could have been a longer preparation for Gilas as he planned to start the practice supposedly last June 23 but it was pushed back a week later, since most of the team members are still with their respective teams buying for a slot in the playoffs.

And the Japan B-Leaguers and the Korean boys were in their respective league’s winding stages. Even our naturalised hero Justine Brownlee wasn’t available until a week after.

Though the practice session is in full swing, having it everyday and Cone is at the helm, still a concerned as attendance is not 100%, as Scottie Thompson experiencing slight back spasm,

E J Edu and Jaime Malonzo are out of the country, one reason or another, but both are expected to make the practice last weekend according Cone, in ambushed interview by sportswriters.

Chris Newsome, who just tied the knot with long-time fiancee Cam Lagmay, beauty queen and television actress.

Three more Gilas key players are in the title playoffs, San Miguel Beermen Junmar Fajardo and C J Perez as they meet TNT Tropang Giga led by Calvin Oftana.

As these kind of problem keeps lingering on, Cone had finally opened the pool by adding four more able bodies in the reserve list as announced by SBP director Erika Dy

which included Zavier Lucero (6-6) from the Magnolia Hotshots.

Ginebra’s swingman R J Abbarientos (6-2) another Gin Kings Troy Rosario (6-8) and due to persistent fans and fanatics’ brought in the high-leaping Renz Abando (6-2).

Though the absence of those key individuals, Cone assured they all be back in time for practice in the coming days as Gilas-Pilipinas will have a tune-up game against the Macau Black Bears led by former NBA New York Knicks’ Jeremy Lin. two days before they fly to Jedda, Saudi Arabia on Aug. 5.