Coach Spo invited to drop in on Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has been invited to drop in on the Philippine national basketball team during its 11-day training camp at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Miami and if he’s able to clear his schedule, it’s likely the Fil-Am will share inspiring advice as Gilas prepares for the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

“We’ve reached out to coach Spo,” said Gilas team manager Aboy Castro before the delegation left Manila on a Delta flight to Miami via Tokyo and New York City yesterday morning. “We’ve been informed that coach Spo won’t be able to visit Manila as previously scheduled late this month to attend to player negotiations. That may mean coach Spo will be in Miami when the team is in town. It would be inspiring if coach Spo could stop by and speak to our team even for a few minutes.”

Since LeBron James opted to leave Miami and rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers, Spoelstra has been busy retooling the Heat roster. So far, the Heat has brought in veterans Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger to join rookie Shabazz Napier. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, Chris Andersen, Udonis Haslem and Norris Cole are returning in Miami uniform next season. Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and James Jones won’t be back.

Gilas is staying at the 313-room Marriott Marquis Hotel where there is an NBA-standard basketball court on the 19th floor. The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center equipped with cardiovascular and weight machines. Naturalized player Andray Blatche, who has a home in Miami, suggested for Gilas to stay in the hotel because of the basketball facility.

“We’re saving a lot in inland transportation costs,” said Castro. “Instead of hiring a bus to bring our team from hotel to gym, all we need to do now is to make sure everyone is in the elevator going to the 19th floor. Andray recommended the Marriott Marquis which is where the Brooklyn Nets stay when they visit Miami to play the Heat.” The hotel provides a 52-inch flat-screen TV and a TV embedded on the bathroom mirror in each room.

Gilas was scheduled to touch down in Miami at 10:40 last night.

Castro said Blatche will join Gilas for practice, possibly starting this afternoon. “We’re hoping Andray finalizes his new NBA contract before he starts practice with us,” said Castro. “From what we know, Andray plans to be in Miami either Friday afternoon or Saturday lunchtime so he can begin practice on Saturday afternoon. We’re all excited to welcome Andray to practice.”

Blatche opted out of his Nets contract last June 30. A source said he is close to signing a deal with either the Toronto Raptors or Los Angeles Clippers. There is reportedly interest from the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves to offer a contract. The possibility of returning to Brooklyn is also open.

Gilas leaves Miami for Spain on Aug. 5 and will pitch camp in Vitoria where the team is booked to play tune-up games with Angola and a Spanish league All-Star selection. It will travel to Antibes, Frances, for a pocket tournament with France, Australia and Ukraine on Aug. 15-17 then play more tune-ups in the Spanish towns of San Sebastian and Guadalajara before moving to Seville for the start of the FIBA World Cup. The Philippines opens its World Cup campaign against Croatia on Aug. 30. The plan is to leave Spain on Sept. 11, return to Manila and take off for Incheon on Sept. 16 to play at the Asian Games. Gilas will be back home from Incheon on Oct. 5.

Castro said FIBA has not advised when to submit the final 12-man lineup for the World Cup. The Gilas cast in Miami lists Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, L. A. Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, JunMar Fajardo, Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga, Gary David, Jared Dillinger, Jay Washington, Marcus Douthit and Blatche. Larry Fonacier begged off from playing in Spain for health reasons.

“We still don’t know when we’ll be asked to turn in our final 12-man lineup,” said Castro. “It could be 15 or 30 days before the start of the tournament or even the day before. Coach Chot (Reyes) will hold off making the final decision until we know the deadline. A lot will depend on who’s healthy. Once we submit a 12-man lineup, we won’t be able to change anymore unless there is a justifiable reason but it will cost about $4,000 per switch and you can only replace with a player from the original 24-man lineup submitted last June 30.”

Castro said the players’ morale was hardly affected by the recent NBA fiasco. “Of course, they were disappointed that they couldn’t play their idols before the home fans,” he said. “But that’s now in the past. The good thing was they got an extra day of rest and family time because they would’ve played a game on the second day of the NBA tour. That extra day was a big bonus particularly as the team will be away from home for 45 days.”

Castro said Fonacier decided to withdraw from Gilas before practice last Monday. “We all felt for Larry because he played a big role in bringing us to Spain,” he said. “Not too many remember that nine years ago, Larry had an ACL injury. He’s never really been able to straighten his left leg since and yet he has competed at a very high level. In the last two or three years, Larry didn’t stop playing in the PBA and for our national team. It finally took a toll on him. His back is still aching and he has foot issues, too. Doctors recommended a complete rest. He’s foregoing the trip to Spain to give a chance for a healthier player to take his spot. I think that’s a great sacrifice on his part.”