Vertically integrated system for Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas head coach Chot Reyes is inclined to map out a vertically integrated approach for the national team program, linking the training of the U14, U16 and other junior programs to the senior level so there is a seamless developmental pathway.

With the Gilas program in a shambles, Reyes said it’s like starting from scratch. “We don’t have a team and the FIBA window is three weeks away,” he said. “Honestly, I don’t know what system to play, if we do Tab’s (Baldwin) way or dribble drive or whatever. We’re a work in progress. It will depend on what players can run what system, if they can play together. Our coaching staff is made up of Nenad Vucinic, Jong Uichico, Josh Reyes and maybe, somebody whose name I still can’t divulge. Sandro Soriano is our video guy. The last time the Gilas pool got together was for conditioning last December and Tab was still in the US. I don’t think Gilas has played a game since September.”

In training at the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas, Reyes said he’s slowly meshing the TNT players with the Gilas remnants. “Every day, it’s antigen testing at 8 a.m. then we split the guys into two groups, one to do individual skills and shooting and the other to do conditioning and weights. At 9:30 a.m., the groups switch. After an hour, we watch video of the previous practice or games of opponents then we rest until 4 p.m. when we drive about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic, to Summit Point where there’s a wooden court and we scrimmage for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. We’ve been working on 5x5 and halfcourt defense lately. We’re cramming but trying to be as efficient as possible. Every day, every minute counts. At least, there are no distractions. We live, breathe and sleep basketball.”

Adding the TNT players is a boost. “Hindi sila kinikilabutan kasi sanay na sa international competition,” he said. “We’ve got RR (Pogoy), Troy (Rosario), Poy (Erram), Kelly (Williams) and everyone else should be ready, including Kib (Montalbo), CBC (Carl Bryan Cruz), Brian (Heruela), Glenn (Khobuntin) and Matt (Ganuelas Rosser) whom I originally recruited for Gilas years back. Mikey (Williams), unfortunately, isn’t eligible. In the window, we play South Korea twice, New Zealand and India. The Koreans’ qualifying hopes are in the balance so they’re taking this tournament seriously. They’re bringing in their veterans. Korea’s a three-point shooting and running team so we’ve got to be prepared. New Zealand is a pressure-playing, physical team that gets up on your grill. This is another test of adaptability. The keys are agility, ability to adapt to different situations. We’ll figure out our approach as we go along. It’s critical that everyone supports our efforts and cooperates. If you’re called, get ready.”

Reyes said the appointment was a surprise. “I never expected it,” he said. “My calendar is full the whole year. Now, I’ll be taking time off from my family and my apo whom I adore. I’m also focusing on TNT. Our first import McKenzie Moore came in injured and Troy and Kib were out for our first four games. Our goal was to go 50 percent without them so we accomplished that with our 2-2 record. But we’ve got a new healthy import Aaron Fuller, Kib and Troy are back and we play four games from Feb. 11 to 18, take a break for Gilas then return to play our last two games in the eliminations heading to the playoffs.”