Gilas’ daily practice schedule commences ahead of SEABA tourney

But while the Gilas practice will be everyday from hereon, Reyes clarified, “Those who have games will be excused on their game day and the day before.” (Photo: Smart Gilas Basketball/ Facebook)

MANILA–The countdown to the SEABA Championship has officially begun for Gilas as the national basketball team started its daily practice period on Monday night at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.

With only the Holy Week holidays and the travel dates for the PBA All-Star Games as the breaks in action, Coach Chot Reyes and company are now working double time to prepare further for the said regional tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City from May 12-18.

But to keep the players from getting weary quickly ahead of the remaining practices for the Holy Week, Reyes opted to keep the training simple.

“It was our regular Monday practice–not too heavy. Yung for the next two days, importante yun. Parang review of everything that we do. Bukas, [the practice will be] a lot harder. Expect a full practice tomorrow and on Wednesday,” he said.

But while the Gilas practice will be everyday from hereon, Reyes clarified, “Those who have games will be excused on their game day and the day before.”

However, he expects the full Gilas pool to be present on May 2, so he bared, “We’re asking the guys who are having trouble coming in or participating. We want to find out if they are serious and if they really want to play, because attendance really matters.”