Chot says Gilas eyeing more tuneup matches one week before FIBA WC

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes will squeeze every ounce of opportunity to make sure the national team gets the preparation it needs, before making its 2023 FIBA World Cup debut against the Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Justin Brownlee PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

No wonder, Reyes is calling Gilas' upcoming mini pocket tournament in Guangdong, China as the “penultimate” part of the national squad's World Cup preparation.

In fact, the Filipino bench tactician bared they are finalizing some details as they try to arrange tuneup matches with some foreign national squads, who will be arriving about a week before the 2023 FIBA World Cup opening night in Manila.

“After that (mini pocket tournament in China), we are still looking at a couple more games in Manila against teams that will be here early, so that's the week before our first game. Hopefully from the 18th to 20th or thereabouts, that will be the final preparation before the opening on the 25th (of August),” Reyes told veteran sports analyst Quinito Henson in his Youtube Sports Channel PlayitRight TV. “China (pocket tournament), the way we are planning it is the penultimate.”

The China pocket tournament is scheduled from August 2 to 5 with Gilas facing Lebanon, Iran and Senegal.

As of posting time, Reyes is awaiting official advise as to the status of young Filipino slotman Kai Sotto and Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson.

The 7-foot-3 Sotto failed to show up at Gilas' practice on Tuesday night, the original date he was supposed to arrive.

The 21-year-old Sotto's final NBA Summer League stint with the Orlando Magic came to an abrupt end over the weekend after hurting his back, which forced him to leave the game against the Boston Celtics prematurely.

The Filipino young big man went scoreless after going 0-of-3 from the field, had two turnovers, but managed to grab two rebounds, issue an assist, and one block against the Celtics.

On the other hand, Clarkson's status is still up in the air at this point though the 31-year-old Filipino-American guard has agreed to a fresh three-year extension deal with the Jazz that's reportedly worth $55 million.