GILAS Pilipinas shifts its buildup into higher gear – and a higher altitude – as it heads to Tagaytay for a three-day training camp starting on Tuesday.
After practice on Monday, the Filipino dribblers headed straight to Splendido for a camp that's part of their preparations for the first window of the Fiba World Cup qualifiers, starting on November 24 against Japan and three days later against Chinese Taipei.
“It's a part of the practice,” Gilas coach Chot Reyes said after practice on Monday. “I don't think its going to be smart if we lay out our plans kasi pinapanood tayo ng kalaban. We're just going up and we're practicing. That's all.”
Reyes, though, stressed they have to improve on the basics following a stunning loss to Alab Pilipinas in a tune-up game last Saturday.
“We'll work on the things like rebounding, playing defense,” Reyes said. “We're not worried so much about our offense. It is the other things.”
“Like I said, para kaming 'di marunong mag-basketball the last game,” he added. “Chemistry is only chemistry when things are clicking. But when things are not clicking, there's no chemistry to speak of. Hopefully we'll be able to work on that when we go up there in Tagaytay.”
After taking a break on Sunday, the Filipino dribblers returned and did their usual conditioning and weights training on Monday morning where 14 players showed up.
Terrence Romeo was the only one absent among the locals as he's still undergoing therapy while naturalized player Andray Blatche is expected to join the team in Tagaytay.
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