INJURIES and the need to have three key players adapt immediately to Gilas Pilipinas’ scheme of things are the two main concerns of coach Yeng Guiao less than a week before the national team departs for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Guiao raised the matter moments after the Filipinos drubbed the visiting Adelaide 36ers, 92-83, in their tune-up match at the Meralco gym on Friday night.
The game saw Matthew Wright and Poy Erram sit out due to injuries while June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, and Roger Pogoy struggled a bit trying to transition into the national team’s sets and pattern.
“Si Poy could not play, meron siyang knee issue. Si Matthew may problema rin. So medyo nagwo-worry ako dun sa dalawa because we really wanted to see them in this situation,” said Guiao.
“Meron din tayong problem with June Mar, Pogs and Troy. Kakasalpak lang nila doon (sa team), medyo nangangapa sila and kinakapa rin sila ng mga kasama nila,” added the Gilas mentor.
Guiao pointed out Fajardo, Rosario, and Pogoy still trying to relearn the Gilas system had something to do with the 36ers being able to come back from a nine-point deficit late in the first quarter to close the gap at 50-49 at the break.
“Yun ang naging problema natin noong second quarter. Medyo out of synch tayo kaya naubos yung lamang natin,” the national coach pointed out.
“If there’s any consolation, the team still has a few more days to make the necessary adjustment before the Filipinos depart on Thursday for Foshan, China.
“Noong nandiyan na sina June Mar, Pogs, and si Troy, nakikipag-pakiramdaman pa sila. So maybe that’s one thing we need to fix in the next few days,” said Guiao.
“Mukhang hindi, that’s why it’s a little bit concerning,” said Guiao. “Yung mga injuries nila hindi naman serious e. Ang problema this is the time we need to see them playing, so yun ang problema.”
Guiao and his coaching staff will announce the 12-man roster to the World Cup after the tune-up game against the 36ers.
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