Belo to finally suit up with Gilas?

MANILA, Philippines – Mac Belo, who’s long been in the wings, may finally get a call to don the Gilas uniform as national coach Chot Reyes announced Monday the removal of Raymond Almazan and Calvin Abueva from the Gilas pool for the second window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

With Almazan and Abueva out, Belo, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar and June Mar Fajardo are the frontline players left in the 15-man pool.

Jayson Castro, Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas, Jio Jalalon, RR Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Allein Maliksi, Gabe Norwood and Carl Bryan Cruz are those fighting out for the guard and the wing spots.

Making up the Gilas team in the first WC elims window were Andray Blatche, Fajardo, Aguilar, Abueva, Rosario, Castro, Ravena, Alas, Pogo, Wright, Maliksi and Norwood.

Belo didn’t make it there, extending his confinement in the sidelines since suffering an injury at the start of the Gilas training in Tagaytay in 2016.

After his recovery and rehab from surgery, the former FEU standout was given a chance in a few games in the 2017 Jones Cup. Way off from his deadly form, Belo missed the Philippine team to the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, the 2017 SEA Games and the Gilas’ opening games in the WC qualifiers versus Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Belo, however, may finally make it with the Gilas pool down to 13.

“The reason why we’re dropping Abueva and Almazan for the second window [is that] they haven’t showed up. It’s already our third practice and they haven’t shown up. It’s simply a matter of disinterest,” said Reyes.

“It’s just a question of dedication and desire,” added Reyes pointed out. “Kung gusto mo maraming paraan, pag ayaw mo maraming dahilan di ba? That’s the reason why we do these once-a-week practices. We want to see who are the people who really want to be here and that’s a big part of what we’re looking for from these guys.”

Abueva mentioned a hamstring injury while Almazan wanted to be excused at the moment as his game has dipped.

“Remember, he had a spat with (Rain or Shine) coach Caloy (Garcia) regarding his game?” said Danny Espiritu, Almazan’s agent. “He wants to recover first.”

Gilas will soon step up its training in preparation for its games versus Australia in Melbourne on February 22 and versus Japan at the MOA Arena on February 25.

The Nationals will be out to sustain the momentum of their sweep of the Japanese and the Taiwanese in the opening frame of the qualifiers. Team Phil topped the Japanese, 77-71, then rolled past the Taiwanese, 90-83.