TNT stars proud to anchor Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Seven players from Talk ‘N’ Text were picked to join the 17-man Gilas pool that will be trimmed to 12 for the FIBA-Asia Championships in Manila on Aug. 1-11 and they’re all excited to give it their all for flag and country.

Named to the training lineup were Texters Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Larry Fonacier, Jared Dillinger and Ryan Reyes. Only Castro, voted Best Player of the recent PBA Philippine Cup, is making his debut with Gilas although he suited up for the pre-Gilas national team that took the Southeast Asian Games gold medal in Bangkok in 2007 and the SEABA championship in Jakarta in 2008. The others in the Gilas roster are Gary David and Japeth Aguilar of Global Port, Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan of Rain Or Shine, JuneMar Fajardo of Petron, L. A. Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra, Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee, naturalized player Marcus Douthit and D-League center Greg Slaughter of N-Lex.

The Gilas players got together for their first practice at the PhilSports Arena last Monday. Castro, nursing a bruised rib, attended but didn’t suit up. Slaughter came but was also excused from playing due to a slight fever. Chan arrived late, straight from the hospital where he was treated for a fractured left thumb sustained in a Rain Or Shine practice. The perfect attendance was a positive sign and coach Chot Reyes took it to mean a strong commitment for flag and country.

“I’m happy and excited at the same time,” said the 26-year-old Castro. “I feel a bit of pressure because it is now the national team.” Castro’s familiarity with Reyes’ dribble-drive offense gives him a distinct advantage in bidding for a slot in the final 12. The former Philippine Christian University guard’s speed, athleticism and scoring ability are his chief assets.

Williams, who turned 31 last week, said just being considered to play for Gilas is “a tremendous blessing and honor.” He added, “representing the country has always made me a better player, better person and heightened my pride for the flag.” Williams described the first practice as memorable. “It was fun,” he said. “Coach ran us through basic formations and the guys jumped on the system with no problem. The size, IQ and athleticism on the squad are remarkable. My most memorable moment would have to be sitting back and watching Jap and JuneMar destroy the rim with their dunks. Oh, how nice it is to be 20 years old.”

Williams said he hopes to just fit in with Gilas as a role player. “I believe I can bring leadership by example, working hard and doing what Coach needs me to do,” he said. “Like previous Gilas stints, I’ll have a utility mindset, meaning whatever the team needs of me, I’ll try my best to do – play big, play small, I’m willing and capable of doing it.”

De Ocampo said the first practice went smoothly. “We were given a commitment letter which we all signed,” he recounted. “We were also briefed on the program and schedule. We’re all excited to play. I noticed how everyone is determined to play hard and sacrifice for our country. I also saw Ping and JuneMar comfortable and happy in their first practice with Gilas. I’m looking forward to sharing my experience in FIBA tournaments with the new guys on the team. We’ll give it our all, down to the last drop of sweat.”

Alapag said it’s an honor to be chosen again for the national team. “Playing for our country has been one of the most memorable parts of my career so far,” he said. “Our first practice went well. It was great to see all the players present and ready to get to work. We hope to make our country proud in August.”

Dillinger said even as the first practice was light, everyone was focused to go hard during the dry-runs on offense. “It felt great seeing everybody again,” he said. “I could tell we were all excited to get the show started. It was great interacting with JuneMar. It was my first time meeting him. He’s a great kid, I’m excited to play with him. We have so much talent on the team. I hope to contribute by using my versatility, whether it’s defense, running the point, shooting 3s, getting to the basket to create opportunities for others. I’m gonna make sure my game is on point. Not only is it a privilege but also a responsibility I owe to the country to work as hard as I possibly can.”

Fonacier said he’ll try to be a reliable shooter who can defend and rebound for Gilas. “It just dawned on me how big this thing is and how blessed I was when Commissioner (Chito) Salud gave his inspiring speech and Coach Chot gave us clippings from 40 years ago (about the Philippine team that won the FIBA-Asia title in Manila in 1973). Just to be mentioned in the same level as Jaworski, Adornado, Fernandez, Guidaben and the others is already a lifetime achievement for me, regardless if I make the final lineup or not.”