Gilas re-opens training camp Jan. 21

Gilas Pilipinas starts on Jan. 21 its buildup for the final window of the FIBA World Cup qualifier where Team Phl looks to win two “away” games versus Qatar and Kazakhstan to have a shot at making the world joust in China late this year.

National coach Yeng Guiao has submitted a 15-man pool to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas led by Andray Blatche and Christian Standhardinger.

“Christian is our backup naturalized as we wait for Andray. If Andray comes in good shape, then we’ll no longer disturb Christian. He’ll no longer join us in the trip,” Guiao told The STAR.

June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Poy Erram and Troy Rosario are other big men in the pool while Jayson Castro and Paul Lee lead the backcourt cast.

RR Pogoy is also in the pool, and the TNT KaTropa wing man is rejoining the Nationals in their game against Kazakhstan. He’s served his five-game suspension by FIBA by then.

Guiao said SBP will announce the complete roster for the last window where the Nationals clash with Qatar in Doha on Feb. 21 then with Kazakhstan in Almaty on Feb. 24.

Rosario is currently out due to a badly shattered nose bridge inflicted by a wayward elbow by JR Quinahan in a tune-up on Dec. 30.

But he’s expected to be well as the Nationals step up their training by February.

At the start, Guiao is looking for at least once-a-week training.

“Gusto ko sana twice a week but the problem is the availability of the players since they have to attend the practices and games of their mother teams"