RECUPERATING in time may be the biggest hurdle right in front of Gilas Pilipinas, as it starts on the path of preparing for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
With a mix of worn-down PBA stars, some fresh off a grueling seven-game semifinals and some also about to play in the finals of the Philippine Cup, and Japan-based players who are just getting back into shape, national team coach Tim Cone says health and conditioning are now the top priorities.
“We’ve got a lot of players who are just finishing a really, really long season. And for our guys (Ginebra), it was a seven-game series, so they’re really worn out. They’re nicked up and have injury concerns,” Cone said during the official unveiling of the new Gilas kits made by adidas Thursday night.
READ: All the details you want to know about the new Gilas jerseys
Cone then went into detail about national team players who are dealing with injuries, specifically Jamie Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, and Japeth Aguilar - all Gin Kings whose PBA season just ended last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the likes of San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez and TNT's Calvin Oftana are set to play in a race-to-four series for the all-Filipino title.
On the flip side, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Justin Brownlee are coming in with fresher legs, but will still need ramping up.
Gilas getting it going
In particular, Cone is looking forward to having Brownlee back - and back in form.
READ: Fit-again Justin Brownlee back in PH for Gilas Asia Cup bid
“Justin is cleared. It’s just a matter of him getting his game back; he hasn’t played in two months. But I think the break should help more than hurt,” he said. “He was forced to take it, and he really hadn’t had a break in more than two years.”
After holding what basically became video viewing four days ago, Gilas will be back in training on Monday.
Also expected to join later this month is Kevin Quiambao, who is currently training in the U.S., but has already committed to wearing the flag.
Gilas will have two tune-up games before the Asia Cup: July 28 against the Macau Black Bears at the Araneta Coliseum and August 2 versus Jordan in Saudi Arabia, just days after they leave the Philippines on July 31.
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