SMC, TNT stalwarts joining forces

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas’ PBA reinforcements will likely come from TNT, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra with the powerhouse teams taking a break in Commissioner’s Cup action during the November window.

Gilas is booked for the fifth window of the FIBA World Asian Qualifiers against Jordan in Amman on Nov. 10 and Saudi Arabia in Dammam three days later, and the three squad’s PBA assignments have been freed up for the road games.

TNT’s campaign temporarily stops after its Nov. 5 assignment against Terrafirma while SMB and Ginebra halt play after their Nov. 6 faceoff. They are slated to resume after the window with the Tropang Giga and the Beermen returning on Nov. 16 versus NLEX and Magnolia, respectively, and the Gin Kings playing Blackwater two days later.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has yet to name the training pool for the coming Middle East outings. But based on recent call-ups from the PBA, TNT’s RR Pogoy and Poy Erram, SMB’s June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez and Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar loom as possible candidates.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes, in a recent Senate hearing, hinted that the pool will be a mix of PBA, Japan B.League and collegiate standouts.

He said practice will start on Monday initially on a once-a-week basis and this will increase in frequency once the window draws near. Reyes also expects the Japan-based cagers to be in the camp a week before the Jordan game.

“We’ve been given assurance na lahat ng players na pipiliin namin for the fifth and sixth windows will be allowed to play. Ang importante hindi lang ‘yung availability pero ‘yung practice time and preparation time,” Reyes told the Senate committee on sports chaired by Sen. Bong Go. “It’s not ideal but it’s a lot better than before.”