Austria assures Fajardo, Lassiter will join Gilas practice

MANILA, Philippines -- San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria said there’s no truth to reports that stalwarts June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter are snubbing the rejigged Gilas Pilipinas’ first practice on Monday night at the Meralco gym.

Instead, the two-time champion coach explained that the San Miguel duo’s seeming non-interest in Gilas was a mere “case of miscommunication.”

“Nagulat na lang ako kasi nabasa ko nga sa diyaryo kaninang umaga na no-show daw si June Mar and Marcio. Eh malinaw naman ang sabi ni boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang) sa amin na we should not prevent the players from joining the national team,” Austria told Philstar.com on Sunday.

“What happened was just miscommunication dahil wala naman akong na-receive na advice tungkol sa schedule ng practice nila.”

The 57-year-old Austria said he personally reminded Fajardo and Lassiter during practice of the San Miguel Corp.’s and the PBA’s commitment to support Gilas Pilipinas.

“Dinesisyunan ko na lang kaya kinausap ko na silang dalawa dahil malaking issue pa iyan sa team,” he added.

The San Miguel coach is also hopeful that whoever is coordinating from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) would also learn to go through the protocol and not just directly call the players regarding Gilas’ practice.

“I’m sure the two (Fajardo and Lassiter) are willing to join (Gilas’ practice) pero may protocol iyan eh. Hindi naman puwede deretsuhin mo lang yung players,” he said.

“Dapat, ipinaabot muna sa management, then management will tell the coach and the coach will inform the players.”

Meantime, SBP deputy director for international affairs Butch Antonio said Fajardo and Lassiter are expected to join Gilas on Monday after seeking the assistance of PBA chief executive officer Chito Salud and San Miguel board governor and current league chairman Robert Non.

“Okay na sila. I sought the assistance from CEO Chito Salud and chairman Robert Non,” was Antonio’s reply to Philstar.com.

Monday’s practice is the start of Gilas’ once-a-week training as the national squad under coach Tab Baldwin begins its preparation for the Olympic qualifying tournament in July 2016.

Fajardo and Lassiter are part of the original 17-man national pool named by the PBA last month.