Gilas seeks more tuneups

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas is eyeing additional tune-up games in preparation for the FIBA World Cup.

This comes as Kai Sotto attended the Philippine team’s training on Tuesday — the same day Gilas secured the commitment of Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson.

Gilas assistant coach Jong Uichico said the team is trying to schedule more tune-up games in China aside from the three matches already set there.

The Nationals will face Jordan, Senegal and Iran in China.

“We are looking for some more games outside of that pack of three,” Uichico told reporters on Tuesday.

The tactician bared that if they will not be able to secure more games in China, then they will come back to Manila and try to have games with teams that may arrive in the country early.

Gilas already set up friendly matches against Montenegro and Mexico a few days before the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Clarkson is expected to be the team’s naturalized player, bumping Justin Brownlee to a stint for the Asian Games in China in September.

Uichico said they will start preparations for the Asian Games after the FIBA World Cup, which will start next month.

“One more thing [we need to prepare for is], do we bring the same players [from the World Cup] to the Asian Games, or do we see who is available at the time for the Asian Games?” he said.

“Because, we are not sure whether the Japan boys will be available. It is all up in the air, and of course, it could be discussed sooner or later,” he added.

Several players for Gilas are playing in Japan’s B-League.