Alvin Pasaol is hoping to make up for lost time in the final phase of Gilas Pilipinas 3x3’s preparation for this month’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria.

The Meralco rookie will look to catch up with his fellow Gilas 3x3 pool members in the second training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna after failing to enter the initial bubble due to health and safety protocols.

“Habang nasa bubble sila, ginagawa ko rin yung tungkulin ko para pagpasok ko sa bubble ready ko,” said Pasaol, who underwent virtual workouts presided by Gilas 3x3 physical therapist Benj Palarca.

“Confident ako na mabibigay ko yung todo kong lakas sa remaining practices namin sa bubble at sa OQT,” added the country’s second-ranked 3x3 player.

Pasaol will re-acquaint with Joshua Munzon, Santi Santillan and Karl Dehesa, former teammates and foes in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas and FIBA 3x3 scene.

He’ll also have the chance to form more cohesion with CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa, members of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medal team.

Munzon, Pasaol, Tautuaa and Perez were preparing for the OQT last year when the global pandemic forced the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics qualifier.

“Siyempre, sobrang excited na makasama ko sila ulit. Dahil sa pandemic, hindi kami naka-practice at nagkita-kita. Masaya na makita ko sila muli,” said Pasaol.

Gilas 3x3 is seeking one of three Olympic slots in the competition, but will first need to hurdle Slovenia, Qatar, France and Dominican Republic in Pool C.