Boost in Gilas final push eyed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Basketball Association, late as it is for the opening of its Season 44, is stopping play for at least 10 days in February in support of Gilas Pilipinas’ final push to make the World Cup in China in September.

“It’s the homestretch of the FIBA World Cup qualifier, and there’s no turning back in our support to our national team,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

“They’re hard-pressed to win their last two games, and we’re opening a window for them to prepare for these crucial matches. We hope they can win these matches and salvage a spot in the World Cup,” Marcial added.

PBA Season 44 comes off the wraps on Jan. 13 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan – league inaugurals to be ushered in by the Season 43 awards rites (the Leo Awards).

The league takes a break after its Feb. 10 game day, giving the Nationals 10 full days of training for their game against Qatar in Doha on Feb. 21 and versus Kazakhstan in Almaty on Feb. 24.

But national coach Yeng Guiao intends to start a once or twice-a-week training as early as the next few days.

All is not lost, but Gilas Pilipinas would now need to sweep two games away from home to get a shot at a backdoor entry in the world joust.

Through the fifth and penultimate window of the FIBAWC eliminator, the Philippines (5-5) dropped to fourth place behind Australia (9-1), Iran (7-3) and Japan (6-4).

But though being swept at home in the last window and going 1-3 since the Gilas-Australia brawl, Guiao remains hopeful they can salvage the WC dream.

They try to repeat versus the Qataris and get back at the Kazakhs with returning naturalized player Andray Blatche leading the roster.

“I still feel that this is a good team. I still feel this is a strong team. The chances are slimmer going to the World Cup, but I still feel it’s doable. Kaya pa rin natin,” Guiao has said.

Guiao said he would form a limited pool for these last two games.

Likely to make the team with Blatche are June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Jason Castro, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Marcio Lassiter, Matthew Wright, Troy Rosario and three others.

Guiao is considering to bring back RR Pogoy in the last game against Kazakhstan. The TNT KaTropa gunner has served his five-game suspension by then.

If the Nationals are no longer able to dislodge the Japanese at third spot in Group F, their last chance to make the World Cup is to have a stronger finish than the fourth placer from Group E among New Zealand (9-1), Korea (8-2), China (6-4), Lebanon (6-4), Jordan (5-5) and Syria (2-8).