‘Gilas must learn to play the FIBA way’

CHOT Reyes is not in a rush to bring Gilas Pilipinas to its peak this early in training camp, noting that the first two tune-up matches played against Estonia and Finland gave him an idea what they need to work on as they prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The national squad dropped an 81-71 decision to Estonia on Tuesday before bowing to Finland 89-85 on Wednesday in Tallinn, Estonia.

Both games unmasked Gilas’ vulnerabilities as the team started slow against the two European national squads.

Reyes admitted the players are still learning to play the “FIBA way” considering that they are accustomed to the style of the PBA.

“We have to look at our warm-up protocols. We have to take a look at our starting lineup and it’s just really a matter of getting used to the FIBA pace because we’re still in the PBA starting pace that’s why these games are so valuable to them,” Reyes told One Sports’ Carlo Pamintuan in an interview posted at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Facebook page. 

The outspoken Gilas mentor said no amount of explanation would be enough to differentiate FIBA style of play to other leagues. Instead, the players will really have to experience first hand.

“There’s no way we can tell them or explain it. Unless we can experience and feel it, how hard it is from the get go, then that’s why in both games, after those poor starts, after we have the chance to settle down and get to our own rhythm, we are fine,” he added.

The 59-year-old Gilas mentor said turnovers and rebounding are two key aspects of the game they need to work on when they continue their FIBA World Cup buildup in Lithuania.

“The definite metrics as target for this (Finland) game, number one was to cut down our turnovers. We had 23 turnovers (against Estonia). We cut it down to eight because we finished with 15 assists on 15 turnovers, so at least we were able to up our assist-to-turnover ratio to 1:1. That was a good sign that we played better today,” explained Reyes.

“We shot better as well from two points and from three-point land. However, we got really beat up on the boards. We got outrebounded by almost 20 boards, most of it on the offensive rebounds as we gave up 26 offensive rebounds,” he added.

Reyes stressed that size will be a cause of concern for the Filipinos since the national squad will be facing very tall opponents in the group stage against Dominican Republic, Angola and Italy.

“That’s really going to be a continuing cause of concern because of the size of all the teams we are playing, and that’s something we have to continue to work on,” he said.