Ipagpapatuloy ng Gilas Pilipinas ang kanilang training bubble sa Inspire Sports Academy sa Calamba bago ang pagratsada sa final window ng FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Linggo, 12 players kabilang ang Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) veteran ang umentra sa "Calambubble" para simulan ang kanilang pagpapalakas para sa Feb. 18-23 event sa Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center sa Pampanga.
Pinamunuan ang inisyal na training pool ni NLEX guard Kiefer Ravena, na inihayag sa Instagram na siyang muli ang naatasan para pangunahan ang pambansang koponan.
Balik ensayo din sina PBA draftees Isaac Go, Matt at Mike Nieto, at Rey Suerte, at collegiate stars Javi Gomez de Liaño, Dave Ildefonso, Justine Baltazar, Calvin Oftana, William Navarro, at Kenmark Cariño.
Si Ateneo center Ange Kouame, na ang naturalization ay pinoproseso sa Kongreso, ay lumahok din sa training.
“These young men have not only proven their dedication to the Gilas program but have also shown their capability to work well as a team as we saw in the two games against Thailand in the last window,” hayag ni SBP president Al Panlilio.
Si Jong Uichico, na syang head coach noong November window, ay muling naatasan para i-train ang Gilas Men kasama si national team program director Tab Baldwin, Boyet Fernandez, at Sandy Arespacochaga.
Si Meralco coach Norman Black at Rain Or Shine chief tactician Caloy Garcia ay kabilang din sa coaching staff.
“I’m thankful for their commitment as we continue to lay the foundation for the team we will form in 2023,” ani Panlilio .
Habang tanging si Ravena ang nakapasok pa lamang, ilang PBA stars ang inaasahan din magpartisipa sa training bubble sa huling linggo ng buwan.
“We had very good discussions with the PBA and we were able to get the commitment of several PBA players who will be part of the second batch coming into the bubble training on January 22nd,” dagdag ni Panlilio.
(LP/PNA)