By NIKOLE JAVIER
Kiefer Ravena deemed the Gilas crew in tip-top shape as the 20-man lineup returned for national duties from their respective leagues ahead of the fifth window of the 2023 World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Gilas Pilipinas, which will face Jordan on Nov. 10 in Amman, would be without NBA star Jordan Clarkson on the roster.
However, Ravena, who is coming back from Japan B.League, was thankful that the lineup is already physically and mentally conditioned to travel for their two games, the other in Jeddah against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13.
“Okay naman. Siyempre lahat kami in game shape na. Kumbaga wala na kaming kailangan habulin pagdating sa kundisyon namin. ‘Yon naman ang importante din kasi dalawang away games ‘yong lalaruin namin. So maraming travel, maraming time walking, traveling in airplane. So it’s gonna be a factor pero pagdating sa laro ready naman kami,” said Ravena.
Likewise, the rest of the Gilas members will be coming back from their commitments from other local and international leagues — helping their cause in the qualifiers.
“Andoon naman na ‘yong mga kailangan na pieces. Kai (Sotto) will be there and majority of the core players from the last window. So kung ano lang madadagdag in terms of individual confidence naman, kung hindi man sa production, sa bench siguro or anything na makakatulong sa energy, sa attitude. Kasi lahat naman kami manggagaling sa break eh. ‘Yong mga PBA boys, pati ‘yong mga B.League boys, lahat kami, we’re sacrificing our time also which is something that we always look forward to pagdating ng mga FIBA windows,” he added.
While the Gilas pool braces for Jordan, it’s also eyeing three particular players who pose a threat to their campaign.
“Syempre ‘yong tatlong players nila. Although the team itself. Pero ‘yong tatlong mabigat na players nila Freddy Ibrahim, si (Zaid) Abbas saka si (Ahmad Al) Dwairi. So, ‘yong tatlo na ‘yon talaga ‘yong focal point ng Jordan. ‘Yon ‘yong heart and soul ng team. Although everybody is capable of contributing. Malaking bagay pag na-prepare namin nang maayos ‘yong tatlong ‘yon,” he concluded.