Gilas’ February Pool Finally Complete in Practice

The Gilas Pilipinas pool to the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers February window is finally in full force.

All the 15 members of the national team pool that will be the basis of the lineup for the games against Australia and Japan on Feb. 22 and 25 respectively showed up during the daily practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig on Tuesday night.

Twelve of them, Andray Blatche, Gabe Norwood, June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Allein Maliksi, RR Pogoy, Japeth Aguilar, Matt Wright, Kevin Alas, Carl Cruz, and Jio Jalalon, took part in the practice proper, where they participated in scrimmages with African players led by former Ateneo player Chibueze Ikeh.

Troy Rosario also suited up in practice after a scary fall last week in TNT’s game against Phoenix, but he was limited to shooting drills.

“He’s cleared to practice, but he’s really not cleared to play,” said Coach Chot Reyes. “He’s cleared to do light workouts and shooting drills but not really full contact.”

Kiefer Ravena and Mac Belo also attended the training session, but they were relegated to observers.

Reyes then bared that Ravena called in sick.

Four members of the Gilas Cadets also joined the practice in CJ Perez, Abu Tratter, Arvin Tolentino, and Kenneth Tuffin. (PNA)