RJ Abarrientos and Ralph Cu are set to join Gilas Pilipinas in its brief training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna beginning on Tuesday.
Gilas program director Alfrancis Chua said the two have been tapped to add warm bodies for the national team following the injury to new boy Troy Rosario. Chua added the team wants to give Justine Brownlee the rest that he needs.
“Papa-akyatin namin si (Ralph) Cu tsaka si (RJ) Abarrientos para sa ensayo makumpleto lang, habang nagpapahinga yung iba,” said Chua.
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Rosario is suffering from a knee injury and sustained cramps late in the sudden-death Game 3 between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
He is currently day-to-day, according to coach Tim Cone, so much so he will just have to rest for the duration of the two-day camp in Laguna.
Brownlee meanwhile, played through a painful blister during the same game against the Bolts, according to Chua.
“Si Brownlee actually naglaro 'yun ng may blister, and laki sa paa,” said the Gilas official. “Mabuti naman nakapaglaro pa siya.
“So pagpapahingahin muna namin yung iba, para pagdating sa game against Taiwan, OK na sila.”
Chua said Cu and Abarrientos were added as practice players since the two know very well the system being run by Gilas coach Tim Cone.
But the two Ginebra players, Chua clarified, won’t be going to Qatar with the national team.
“Dito lang sila para makumpleto lang yung ensayo namin,” he added.
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