Chot Reyes to bring 'much better' version of 2014 Gilas squad in World Cup
Chot Reyes is looking to put together a "much better” Gilas Pilipinas team for the World Cup nine years after the gallant run in the 2014 edition.
*Gilas head coach Chot Reyes (FIBA photo)*
The Gilas head coach is expecting a tough road to the Olympics as they face some familiar foes in the group stage, where it was drawn with Italy, Dominican Republic and Angola in Group A. “It’s a kind of situation where I’ve been here before. I kind of know what to expect, but then again, the game is always evolving. Our competition is always evolving and getting better. So, it is incumbent on us to match that. To continue to be better,” said Reyes following the draw on Saturday, April 29. Now that Reyes has a clearer picture of what the national team is facing in August, he is looking to put together an even better version of the 2014 squad, which qualified in the World Cup for the first time in nearly four decades nine years ago. The Philippines ended its first stint in the World Cup with a win over Senegal in overtime after absorbing four straight losses prior. With the spirited run in the 2014 edition, Reyes is looking to eclipse that finish and bring the Philippines to the Olympics, where the Philippines last competed in 1972. “I think if we come in with the game that we brought in in 2014, it’s not gonna be enough. We have to be much, much better. And I hope that from now to then, we can find a way to really become a much better team,” he said. “We’re not picking the best talent, we’re picking the best team. We are putting a best team together, we’re not putting a group of superstars. We want to pick the best team possible,” Reyes added. Gilas Pilipinas is expected to begin with its training camps between June and July for the World Cup. “As much as I was looking at our group, I was also looking at what are the teams that the other Asian teams drew as well. That’s gonna determine who is gonna be the best Asian team. Remember our objective here is to get to the Olympics in 2024. That’s the goal, that’s the dream. Hopefully we can get a win or two in this World Cup for a chance to qualify,” he concluded.
*Gilas head coach Chot Reyes (FIBA photo)*
The Gilas head coach is expecting a tough road to the Olympics as they face some familiar foes in the group stage, where it was drawn with Italy, Dominican Republic and Angola in Group A. “It’s a kind of situation where I’ve been here before. I kind of know what to expect, but then again, the game is always evolving. Our competition is always evolving and getting better. So, it is incumbent on us to match that. To continue to be better,” said Reyes following the draw on Saturday, April 29. Now that Reyes has a clearer picture of what the national team is facing in August, he is looking to put together an even better version of the 2014 squad, which qualified in the World Cup for the first time in nearly four decades nine years ago. The Philippines ended its first stint in the World Cup with a win over Senegal in overtime after absorbing four straight losses prior. With the spirited run in the 2014 edition, Reyes is looking to eclipse that finish and bring the Philippines to the Olympics, where the Philippines last competed in 1972. “I think if we come in with the game that we brought in in 2014, it’s not gonna be enough. We have to be much, much better. And I hope that from now to then, we can find a way to really become a much better team,” he said. “We’re not picking the best talent, we’re picking the best team. We are putting a best team together, we’re not putting a group of superstars. We want to pick the best team possible,” Reyes added. Gilas Pilipinas is expected to begin with its training camps between June and July for the World Cup. “As much as I was looking at our group, I was also looking at what are the teams that the other Asian teams drew as well. That’s gonna determine who is gonna be the best Asian team. Remember our objective here is to get to the Olympics in 2024. That’s the goal, that’s the dream. Hopefully we can get a win or two in this World Cup for a chance to qualify,” he concluded.