BARANGAY Ginebra is using the PBA on Tour for development with players fighting for spots in their regoular line-up.
Ginebra bowed to San Miguel, 90-78, on Sunday in its first game in the preseason with stars like Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Christian Standhardinger, and Stanley Pringle absent.
READ: Ginebra priority is to keep team 'as intact as possible'
Thompson, Aguilar, and Malonzo are expected to be called up for Gilas Pilipinas in its preparations for the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Even Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone gave the reigns to assistant coach Richard Del Rosario, as he will also be part of the Gilas build-up for the global showcase which the Philippines will co-host with Japan and Indonesia.
“It’s really about new roles for this players, guys na hindi naman talaga nakakapaglaro ng matagal, we are trying to develop them,” said Del Rosario. “It’s more developmental.”
The bulk of the Ginebra line-up for the ‘On Tour’ are the team’s second stringers that includes Jeremiah Gray, Aljon Mariano, Nards Pinto, Von Pessumal, and Raymond Aguilar, with Kim Aurin leading the players from their 3x3 team.
“From one of the biggest teams before when we had Christian, Japeth, and Justin, ngayon I think we are the smallest. Ako na yata ang pinakamalaki sa team namin. It’s really a struggle but it’s a challenge for us. We have to figure things out,” said Del Rosario.
Del Rosario said the PBA on Tour will allow the other players to either improve their skills for some, or to vie for a roster spot for a few ahead of the new season starting in October.
“Sabi niya (Cone), this is really a chance to develop. It’s (like) a summer league, preseason tournament. We try to develop the facets of the game ng mga players. ‘Yung winning or losing comes secondary. As long as ma-develop natin at ma-improve ‘yung certain facets of the game na pagtatrabahuin namin ngayon.”
“For Ginebra fans, just a little bit (of) patience. We are all new. This is all new. And we are trying to figure out a system that could bring out the talents of the players that we have,” said Del Rosario.
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