By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Pilipinas finally began its buildup for the upcoming FIBA 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers in a closed door session at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna on Thursday, Feb. 15.
All but two players in new head coach Tim Cone’s 12-man lineup attended the first practice of the four-day training camp in preparation for the Nationals’ games against Hong Kong on Feb. 22 and Chinese Taipei on Feb. 25.
No less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy served as the welcoming committee to the crew that also included team manager and assistant coach Richard Del Rosario along other Asian Games deputies in Jong Uichico and LA Tenorio.
Japan B. League players Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos led the attendees together with PBA stars and the core of the Asian Games gold medal team in Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Justin Brownlee and free agent Carl Tamayo and UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao.
Only June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez were absent in the first day of practice as they were both coming off San Miguel’s title conquest in the 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Surprisingly, Japeth Aguilar also showed up in practice and could be an able temporary replacement for Edu who has been ruled out for the pair of games in February as he was still recovering from a knee injury.
There’s no announcement yet regarding Aguilar’s possible participation but he is very much familiar with the system Cone is trying to employ with Gilas. The 6-foot-9 forward last saw action for the national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Also presented in the camp are Ginebra players Ralph Cu and Donald Gumaru to provide extra warm bodies during scrimmages.
