Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) — Gilas Pilipinas’ upcoming redemption bid in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games has hit another snag with more key players skipping the regional meet.
Among them is San Miguel Beermen big man June Mar Fajardo, who has been ruled out as he continues to recover from his knee injury.
Mikey Williams and Jamie Malonzo have also begged off from the highly anticipated sporting event, citing personal matters following their grueling PBA Governors Cup Finals series.
Head coach Chot Reyes said it’s like déjà vu.
“Those are huge losses to the team. It’s not only them… Roger Pogoy’s not gonna be here. Japeth (Aguilar) is a question mark, even Scottie (Thompson) is a question mark,” he said.
“Just like last year, we were practicing with a certain number of guys. Hate to say it, but here we go again,” he added.
Fundamentals were highlighted during Wednesday night’s practice with a total of eleven players in attendance, including PBA players and collegiate standouts.
The team, however, is bracing for tougher competition this year in their bid to reclaim the gold after last year’s disappointing silver medal finish in Vietnam, which ended the country’s 33-year reign in the regional meet
“Now when you look at the SEA Games where there are former NBA players, so many naturalized players, so many countries really stepped up their basketball game. I think it’s hard to expect certain things,” said Gilas Pilipinas player Christian Standhardinger. “But I think we have a very balanced team, we have shooters, we have slashers, and we have a great coaching staff.”
The players said they have also been taking the time to work on their game outside of practice.
To ramp up preparations, Gilas Pilipinas is set to enter a closed-door training camp in Laguna on Sunday.
Even with the high expectations of fans, Reyes said the team remains focused on the things they can control.
“Our goal here is to continue preparing for the World Cup. Unfortunately a lot of the guys who are supposed to be there are not here, so like I said it’s a very, very difficult situation,” the head coach said.
The SEA Games basketball competition is set to run from May 9 to 16 in Cambodia.
