GILAS HOPEFUL IN ITS ASIA CUP JOURNEY

Published on September 12, 2012

Smart Gilas Pilipinas held one last practice session at home Wednesday morning then left for the
fourth FIBA Asia Cup in Japan, hopeful of another successful journey.

The Nationals get a feel of the Tokyo playing venue in a final workout Thursday then finally start
their Asia Cup campaign versus China at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Coach Chot Reyes and his troops will be up against Lebanon Saturday, versus Uzbekistan Sunday and
against Macau Monday to close out their Group A elims assignments.

“We’re not as prepared as I’d like. We couldn’t push the players in practice as everyone was
coming off their PBA teams’ own practices,” said Reyes.

“But we’ll have two full practices before playing China. I hope this will be enough,” Reyes
added.

The Nationals need to just make the top four in their group to advance to the knockout stage
starting Sept. 19. Iran, Japan, Chinese Taipei and the host team are the squads likely to advance to
the playoffs from the other group.

Their Jones Cup triumph and all the citations and commendations they got for their winning effort
should perk up LA Tenorio and his teammates.

A fitting sendoff for the team was a Senate resolution passed on Monday, commending and honoring
Team Phl for winning the Jones Cup.

On Monday night, the Nationals were also given special citation in the 19th PBA Press Corps Awards
Night.

“This makes the players realize the impact of what we did,” said Reyes. “This will spur us
more to try bring honor to the country. Hopefully, we can also do well in Japan.”

“Masyadong nakakataba ng puso. Nakaka-inspire,” said Tenorio, recipient of a separate citation
from the Senate for his MVP award in the Jones Cup.

Others donning the national colors in Japan are Marcus Douthit, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Sonny
Thoss, Jay-R Reyes, Enrico Villanueva, Larry Fonacier, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jarred
Dillinger and Fil-Am guard Matt Rosser.

It’s the last international tourney this year for the PBA stars then they return to their mother
teams for the coming 38th PBA season.

They will rejoin Gilas at the end of the season next year making the final push in their buildup for
the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. (SB)

source:pba.com.ph