Gilas shifts focus on Dominican Republic

FOR Gilas Pilipinas and head coach Chot Reyes, their third and last preparatory friendly against Mexico at the PhilSports Arena last Monday came and went almost as an afterthought.

Moments after Gilas Pilipinas gave world No. 30 Mexico a big scare, 84-77, despite the absence of NBA star Jordan Clarkson in the lineup, Reyes and his coaching staff emerged from their baseline dugout only to slip into a room adjacent to the glass entrance door — the one that serves as media quarters during PBA games.

Jordan Clarkson (right) FIBA PHOTO 

With Reyes were Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio and assistants Jong Uichico and Josh Reyes, all four solemn-faced but not because of the outcome.

Also with them, having driven straight from the airport after a 24-hour flight, layovers included, from Granada, Spain, was Tim Cone, Gilas Pilipinas’ main man in charge of plotting the defense in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Cone, who missed Gilas Pilipinas’ tune-up games against Ivory Coast and Montenegro, was in Granada for a top-secret mission: file a dossier on the Dominican Republic, the national team’s opening opponent at 8 p.m. on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Cone was there when the Dominican Republic, powered by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns, beat Canada 94-88 in a tune-up game, and when Spain narrowly escaped with victory, 86-77, over the world No. 23.

A sole occupant in the room was mildly surprised when the Gilas Pilipinas coaches walked in, scurrying to leave, with his stuff on a table, after Reyes remarked with a smile: “There’s a writer here, how can we discuss things?”

Later, after the Gilas Pilipinas coaches had stepped out from their meeting, Reyes was asked if the friendlies had left any impression on him.

“The next three days [of practice] will be all purely Dominican.”

Reyes said the three tune-up games for Gilas Pilipinas had achieved the goal to “integrate Scottie [Thompson], Jordan [Clarkson] and Kai [Sotto] to the team. This time it’s all about Dominican.”

And Cone had all the files that could be gathered on the FIBA World Americas qualifier.

Team viewing of video footage Cone brought back from his scouting mission, Reyes said, will highlight Tuesday’s training at 4 p.m. before the national team, still officially at 16 players, proceeds to the PhilSports Arena playing court for their 6 to 8 p.m. practice.

Clarkson, of the Utah Jazz, requested a breather after playing the entire first half and the first four minutes of the third quarter in the Philippines’ 85-62 victory over FIBA Africa qualifier Ivory Coast last Friday. He then stayed in the game for 29:39 minutes during a bruising 102-87 defeat to world No. 18 Montenegro of FIBA Europe two days after.

Just before the tune-up against Mexico, Clarkson sat down with Antonio for a talk.

“He just needed a rest,” said Antonio, who dispelled any fears Clarkson has suffered an injury or whether his stint in the World Cup might be in any kind of jeopardy.

“Nothing like that,” assured Antonio. “He really just wanted to rest.”