Gilas to play tough tune-up matches

MANILA, Philippines - On top of three to five games in the fifth FIBA Asia Cup, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes is looking to play eight to nine games against top international teams before proceeding to Seville, Spain for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Reyes said they would play tune-up games in Europe up to Aug. 25 or five days before the start of the world joust.

“It’s a choice between going to FIBA World a little tired but more prepared or being fresh but uncertain of our game because we  have a new player in Andray Blatche,” Reyes told The STAR.

“I chose the former,” he added.

They pitch training camp in Miami, Florida from Aug. 1-4 then play tune-up matches versus Brazil, Angola, ACB Select, France, Australia, Ukraine, Euskadi, Dominican Republic and Egypt in Italy and France from Aug. 8-25.

“I don’t want to go to the Worlds without at least eight to nine games with Blatche,” said Reyes.

Reyes said naturalized player Marcus Douthit will  also suit up for the team.

“They (Blatche and Douthit) will play alternately, then we make the choice, we make the decision,” said Reyes.

But barring any injury to Blatche, it could well be the NBA veteran who would reinforce Gilas in the world joust and in the Asian Games.

“There’s a question on a rule about Asian Games three-year residency. We checked it out. We took a look at the rule book, and Blatche is fine,” said Reyes.

“It doesn’t apply to basketball or it applies to some players who previously represented a different country. It doesn’t apply to us,” Reyes added.

After its 2013 FIBA Asia second-place finish, Gilas Pilipinas reunites and plays its first game against Chinese Taipei at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow in the FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China.

Next up for the Nationals are Singapore and Jordan on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Hours after their heart-breaking loss in the PBA Governors Cup Finals, Rain or Shine stalwarts Beau Belga and Paul Lee joined the team that flew to Wuhan early yesterday morning.