WITH the Lebanon and Jordan games done in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup Asian Qualifiers, national team head coach Chot Reyes is contemplating on naturalizing another foreign player who’s 6-foot-10 or taller.
“We are not ruling out the possibility of even going out and looking for another 6-foot-10 guy, or a 6-foot-11 guy,” said Reyes the morning after Gilas Pilipinas rallied mightily against Jordan but fell two charities and a short jumper short to absorb a 91-90 setback at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“With all the uncertainty surrounding the Kai Sotto situation … if he’s not going to be available, we have to think about that,” said Reyes, expressing his anticipation that the World Cup gathers taller and bigger players with super basketball skill sets. “That’s part of the plan.”
Sotto’s availability for the World Cup is uncertain after the 7-foot-2 center expressed his desire to play in the National Basketball Association Summer Camp starting in July.
“You just cannot come and show up and be on the team,” Reyes said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you have to be part of the preparation.”
Reyes also said that a June or July deadline could be imposed for players committing themselves to the August 25 to September 10 World Cup that the country is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia.
He said the coaching staff would pick players who diligently practice with the team.
Gilas had Justin Brownlee as its naturalized player for both Lebanon and Jordan games and the 6-foot-5 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel resident import didn’t disappoint—he had 17 points, four rebounds and five assists in Gilas’s 107-96 win over Lebanon last Friday and repeated as the team’s top player against Jordan with 41 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
The Philippines wound up with a 6-4 win-loss record in Group E of the FIBA Asian Qualifiers in a tie with Jordan, which Gilas beat, 74-66 in the fifth window in Amman last November 22.
Sotto was Gilas’s top scorer in that win over Jordan with 21 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Reyes said that loss to Jordan served its purpose for Gilas.
“In the end, that’s what these games are for,” he said. “Just like what I’ve said exactly in my pregame talk about that this is another test—Friday is done, it’s over so it’s another test, and tonight [vs Jordan] we got tested. Despite the result, I am still pleased with the way we played.”