Vosotros’ turn to shine in Jones Cup

TAIPEI – The Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff will split chores in the FIBA Asia Cup and in the SEA Games. Head coach Chot Reyes takes charge in the Lebanon Asian meet while chief deputy Jong Uichico takes over in Kuala Lumpur.

If Gilas Pilipinas doesn’t go deep in the knockout phase of the Asian joust, the Gilas program chief will be able to join the Gilas cadets in their trip to Kuala Lumpur.

“Of course, we don’t want that (them flying home early from Lebanon),” said Reyes, expressing a great desire to go all the way to battle for the crown in the FIBA Asia Cup where the Philippines has been runner-up in its last two editions – Manila and Changsha.

The reformatted Asia Cup that now features Oceania heavyweights Australia and New Zealand is set Aug. 8-20 while the SEA Games is slated Aug. 19-30.

Assistant coaches Josh Reyes and Ryan Betia back up Reyes in Lebanon while Jimmy Alapag assists Uichico in KL.

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Almond Vosotros is thankful for his Gilas Pilipinas stint, and the former La Salle guard is hopeful this leads to a PBA return someday.

“It’s a dream to be able to make it back to the PBA,” said Vosotros, selected 13th overall in the 2015 Rookie Draft but not really given the chance to play at Blackwater.

He’s on the Blackwater reserve list when offered to play full time as a Gilas cadet.

As a cadet player, the Albay native has suited up for the 2015 SEABA Championship and the succeeding 2015 SEA Games both in Singapore.

He was useful as a deadly guard in coach Tab Baldwin’s backcourt rotation that then included Kiefer Ravena, Baser Amer and Scottie Thompson.

Vosotros’ shooting was in full display again yesterday in their 101-70 conquest of India . He stood out with a 4-of-7 three-point clip and a stirring binge of 11 straight markers where he nailed three treys and a floater that drew cheers from the Gilas bench.

“I hope to regain my confidence, I’m trying to make it step by step,” he said.