Gilas kulang-kulang na naman sa practice

MANILA, Philippines - Magkasama sina June Mar Fajardo at Marc Pingris na sumalang sa SMC commercial shoot kung saan bida ang popular host/comedian na si Vic Sotto.

Hindi naman nakasipot sina Ian Sangalang at Ranidel de Ocampo dahil sa kanilang injuries, habang dumating sina Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Paul Lee at Jeff Chan na nakasibilyan.

Siyam na players lamang ang nakapagsuot ng practice jersey kasama dito si Talk ‘N Text Fil-Am rookie Moala Tautuaa na muling kinuha ni coach Tab Baldwin bilang backup naturalized player.

Muli namang lumahok sa Gilas coaching staff si Alaska Milk coach Alex Compton.

“Serving Gilas is a tremendous honor and privilege for me,” wika ni Compton.

“Coach Tab (Baldwin) is doing a fantastic job. And thinking about the combination of being able to both serve the country and learn from an incredible coach, I am grateful to be given such a wonderful opportunity,” dagdag pa nito.

Nagpapasalamat din si Tautuaa sa pagkakabalik niya sa Gilas training pool.

Naging backup din siya kay Andray Blatche sa nakaraang Gilas team.

“It feels good. I like being here,” ani Tautuaa, nakasama ng Gilas sa Estonian invitational at sa Jones Cup kung saan sila pumangalawa sa nagkampeong Iran.

“Mo is our fallback option. It’s like an insurance policy,” wika ni Baldwin. “It’s a big sacrifice that he makes for a team that he may never play for. I appreciate that very much.”

Sa light workouts ay muling nakasama ni Tautuaa sina Gilas regulars Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Gabe Norwood, Terrence Romeo, Marcio Lassiter, Jayson Castro at Ryan Reyes.