GILAS Pilipinas' plans may have been halted due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but for former national team mentor Chot Reyes, there's no better time for players who are part of the pool to improve their games as individuals than now.
"This is the chance to really build up your strength, your stamina, your agility, and your speed. This is the time," he told Coaches Unfiltered.
Reyes, who's had three tours of duty at the helm of the national team, posed a challenge for those players included in the new pool of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to make the most of the lull and be better versions of themselves.
"I think, especially for the pro players and even our college players, now you all have the opportunity that you’re all been looking for all your careers, which is months of no tournament. Never silang nagkaganyan eh, na hindi naglalaro," he said.
"They never got that opportunity na talagang magpalakas ng katawan. So this is that opportunity so I expect everyone coming in, whether that’s PBA, UAAP, MPBL, or whatever tournament they’re all going, to be very impressive ang kanilang fitness and strength."
Among those in the pool, curated by SBP program director Tab Baldwin and interim coach Mark Dickel, are special PBA draftees Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi, and twins Matt and Mike Nieto, as well as Thirdy Ravena and Jaydee Tungcab.

Meanwhile, included in the February pool for the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifers were Kobe Paras, Dwight Ramos, Dave Ildefonso, Justine Baltazar, and brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño.
NBA G League-bound Kai Sotto and Toledo's AJ Edu are just few of the foreign-based prospects on the SBP's radar.
The PBA also has been fluid in lending its players to the SBP for Gilas' cause, especially with all eyes locked in fielding the best team for the 2023 Fiba World Cup.
Reyes believes that the lull brought upon by the health scare should not deter players from staying in shape, and when the clearance to finally return to action comes, they should be hungrier and better than ever.
"I think the question is how have you used these months? And it’s the same question I pose to the executives I work with. Okay, badtrip talaga ito, this sucks, and this is really very crappy, but in the end, what did you do in those months? What skills now have you built? Have you developed? How did you use these months?" he asked.
Reyes understands that the inaction may cause some players' competitive fire to flicker, but they should be able to power through it, all the more with everyone wanting those coveted roster spots for the various international competitions Gilas plans to join in.
"Yes, you will lose some competitive game time, pero yung mababawas mo ba sa playing time, na-compensate mo ba? Lumakas ba yung speed mo, lumakas ba yung strength mo? You might lose something in one area, but you might gain it in another area," he said.
"To our young players after this pandemic, are you faster? Do you jump higher? Are you stronger? I think those are the questions you need to ask yourselves."
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