ANTIPOLO – Gilas Pilipinas is planning to leave early for Seramban, Malaysia to prepare for the penultimate window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy said a possible training camp in the Southeast Asian country is in the pipeline for coach Tim Cone and the national team entering the crucial stretch of their campaign for a possible spot in the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.
“Nagbabalak si coach Tim to go to Malaysia early para doon na siya mag-camp,” said the SBP official. “Otherwise, we’ll go the usual camp niya sa Inspire (Sports Academy).”
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The national team has all the time to spend in Seremban as the PBA Governors’ Cup takes a break as early as either Nov. 8 or 10, or just shortly after the quarterfinals.
PBA chief Willie Marcial did confirm about the plans for a Malaysian camp, although he added that nothing is final yet.
“Hindi pa ako sigurado tungkol dun (Malaysia camp), pero nung tinanong kasi ako ni coach (Richard) Del Rosario, sabi ko wala ng laro by Nov. 8 or 10. So after nun, sabi ko sa inyo (Gilas) na lahat yun,” said Marcial.
The FIBA window is scheduled on Nov. 27 and 29, with Gilas looking to improve its 4-4 slate in a bid to have a shot at making the World Cup for the fourth straight time.
Gilas takes on Syria on the 27th before rematch with Iran on the 29th.
The Philippines defeated Team Melli during the fourth window at the Mall of Asia Arena, 68-56, despite playing without the benefit of a naturalized player.
But Iran has been a different team since then as it went on and bagged the bronze medal in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan by beating China, 79-70.
Marcial said Iran (5-3) will definitely go out and try to settle a score with Gilas.
“Mabigat na kalaban ang Iran,” he said.
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