ALLAN THE MAN

National coach Chot Reyes wants Gilas Pilipinas to have at least a three-month preparation as it gears up for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

“At least, three months (ang ideal) syempre. Dati ganun rin hiningi ko (for the Fiba-Asia Championship), pero nabigyan lang tayo ng two months,” Reyes told Spin.ph.

Reyes stressed everything will depend on what the PBA Board of Governors will approve as far as the length of the team’s preparation for the Spain showpiece is concerned.

“Kung ilang buwan ang gustong ibigay ng PBA, depende sa kanila yan. It depends on what schedule the PBA can accommodate (for Gilas),” he added.

As it is, Asia’s pioneering pro league had to cram its schedule for the season-ending Governors' Cup as it gave way to both the preparation of Gilas Pilipinas and the country’s hosting of the 27th edition of the Fiba-Asia tilt.

In the next three weeks, the league will be having 13 playdates in 22 days to complete the elimination round of the season-ending conference.

But to better prepare the calendar for the first Philippine team to compete in the world championship in 37 years, Reyes said he’s now in constant touch with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan.

“Nag-uusap na kami (ni Boss MVP), pero very sketchy pa (ang details sa ngayon),” said Reyes, who bared he has no scheduled meeting with the league board as of the moment regarding the matter.

At the same time, the only five-time winner of the coveted PBA Coach of the Year award said he’s giving members of Gilas team to focus on their obligations with their mother ball clubs.

“Matagal pa, next year pa yun. Busy pa mga players ngayon with their mother teams. Hindi magandang guluhin ang isip nila?” said Reyes.

Likewise, the national coach bared he is not closing the door on possible new names that might be included in the current 13-man Gilas team.

“Never naman natin sinara ang pool. Pero it will depend ulit on the PBA kung magpapahiram ulit sila ng players nila,” he said, stressing that he will complete a team for the Fiba-World Cup regardless of who will be available.

“I have a team, kung sino ang gustong pumasok, hindi ko alam. Kailangan pa muna naming mag-usap ng PBA,” said Reyes, an eight-time champion coach in the PBA.

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