JUST about the entire Gilas Pilipinas team is already in Guam - except for Carl Tamayo.
The 24-year-old stretch forward won’t be joining the national team until Thursday after finally getting his U.S. visa at the last minute.
Tamayo will be taking the first flight out of Manila to reconnect with his Gilas teammates in their final practice on the eve of the opening window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The 6-foot-8 Cebuano didn’t get a visa interview until the morning of the send-off for the national team two days ago.
Nonetheless, he was made part of the Gilas 12 that will battle Jericho Cruz and Guam on Friday at 5 p.m. (Manila time) at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.
READ: Malonzo, Rosario, Juan GdL out of Gilas 12 for Guam qualifier
“We’re happy we got everything done,” said coach Tim Cone about Tamayo’s visa concerns.
Gilas gets down to work
Meanwhile, big man AJ Edu is reunited with the Filipinos after arriving in Guam from the U.S. where he just got married.
The 6-foot-10 Edu missed Gilas' entire one-week camp in preparation for the Guam match, as he attended to his wedding in Gainesville, Virginia.
The Philippine squad left for Guam midnight of Wednesday and arrived early in the morning at the U.S. island territory after a four-hour flight.
They didn’t waste time to get to work, as Cone ordered a late afternoon practice after settling down in the hotel and having some rest.
By Thursday, Cone will have the entire Gilas unit practicing together as one, and then will have a brief shootaround by Friday morning just hours before taking on the host country.
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