THIS is all about sacrifice.
Gilas Pilipinas team manager Alfrancis Chua stressed the need for everyone to do their own share to give Gilas Pilipinas the best possible help in its campaign in the 19th Asian Games.
The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) sports director said the players to be chosen as part of the final 12-man roster are the ones who's been most affected especially those who had been in the FIBA World Cup, and likely to be picked again for the Hangzhou quadrennial meet in China.
Chua related how the first four players on the list of coach Tim Cone had to defer their travel plans and give way to another stint with the national team.
The SMC top official certainly knows as he's the one calling and talking directly to the players.
Sponsored content: "June Mar (Fajardo) is in for sure. Japeth (Aguilar) is in. (Justin Brownlee) is in. Scottie (Thompson) is in," said Chua.
"Actually, si Scottie aalis dapat. He's going to Japan. Japeth is leaving also. Si June Mar when I called him, kaka-landing niya lang sa Cebu. I told him to comeback."
That's how urgent preparation for the Asiad is that players are ready to set aside everything for national cause.
"We don't have time. Wala ng oras talaga. So we have to sacrifice because the players will sacrifice. Kakatapos lang ng World Cup, ito na naman, di ba." said Chua.
Practice for Gilas was supposed to start Friday, but Cone suggests for the ball to start rolling by Monday when all the 12 players in the official lineup are all accounted for.
Sponsored content: "We wanted to practice (Friday), but Tim told me, 'Al just do it on Monday," Chua added.(RG)