Ibinunyag ng head coach ng Gilas Pilipinas na si Chot Reyes na bagamat Hunyo pa nila sinimulan ang “great preparation plan” para sa pagsabak ng national basketball team sa 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, nagawa lang daw mag-practice ng buong team isang linggo bago ang una nilang laban sa Dominican Republic.
Maliban sa kanilang nag-iisang panalo laban sa China, dismayado pa rin ang mga Pinoy sa kinahinatnan ng laban Gilas sa Dominican Republic, Angola, Italy at maging ang tournament newcomer South Sudan.
“We had a great preparation plan. We started preparing for this June 12, Independence Day,” he said. “But we only got our first complete practice as a team, August 18, one week before our first game. Think about that,” ayon kay Coach Chot.
“Team USA started practicing, August 3. Tayo nabuo lang tayo August 18,” dagdag niya.
Sinabi ni Reyes sa kabila na naiwasan pa rin nilang matambakan ng mga powerhouse squad. Ipinunto din niya na ilang perennial finalists ang hindi man lang nakalusot sa Group Stage.
“It’s just been brutal, you’re on there. You’re part of it right?” giit niya. “Never mind on me, but my family and loved ones. It’s just brutal.”
“I will never turn my back to serving the country but there’s a point that I have to think of my health and my family and my family’s health as well.”