MANILA – Injury woes and banged up players add to the concerns of Gilas Pilipinas with a few weeks left until the FIBA Asia Cup.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone expressed concern over the condition of the players who have been playing in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
Cagers from San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang 5G include Junemar Fajardo, Jaime Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, Japeth Aguilar and Calvin Oftana.
"I think the biggest issue we have right now is we got a lot of players who are just finishing a really, really long season, you know, and, and, and in our, for our guys is a seven game series. And so they're really worn out, as you said, they're nicked and they have some injury concerns," Cone said at the adidas and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas press event on Thursday.
"Those are certainly a concern... Jamie, definitely. Scottie, definitely. Even RJ was dinged up a little bit. Japeth. So that's a concern because there we have those guys that are really worn out and tired," Cone said.
The Gilas coach said they were worried over Fajardo’s hamstring injury in San Miguel's Game 7 win over Ginebra.
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"We were concerned on our side that Junemar was not a hundred percent. So, but then he turned around and played 42 minutes in the, in game seven. So amazing, amazing guy that he is," he said.
"We're kind of hoping we would beat San Miguel so we could get Junemar to be rested. But that's not going to happen now. So he's going to have to figure out a way to play this," Cone explained.
While other players are battling injuries, Cone said they also have players like AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos who last played in May for the Japanese B.League.
"You've got guys like AJ and Dwight and Justin that need to get in shape. So we have to push those guys and yet rest the other guys. And then later on add Junemar and CJ and Calvin to the team really without practice. So, you know, there's a lot of dynamics going on, trying to get this team all together," Cone said.
Edu and Ramos said they are working on getting back in game shape as they begin practicing with Gilas.
"For us who play in the B.League we've been out, it's been the off season for a couple months now so just trying to get back in 100% game shape and get ready for this upcoming tournament," Edu said.
"With Kai out that's a tough loss for us and I'm really hoping he can come back soon. Definitely not just me, all of us as a team have to step up when one of the star players are out. From my end I have to step up," he added.
As for Ramos, he said he's in pretty good shape after taking time off.
"I'm in good shape. Probably in better shape than I was in the World Cup so I'll be alright," he said.
"It's tough most of the guys are playing right now. They've got like bumps and bruises in the games that they're playing. Some of us are in the off season so we're getting in shape. I expect everyone to still be in their best because it's the national team. We'll be alright," Ramos added.
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Justin Brownlee has also been sidelined for about two months, after he injured his shooting hand.
The Gilas coach assured Brownlee has been cleared to play for Gilas again.
"He's fine. Just a matter of him getting his, his, his game legs and because he hasn't played in, in two months, he was out, had to rest his hand for like, I think it was five weeks. He wasn't allowed to really do anything with his hand," he shared.
"It's just a matter of him getting back in shape and getting into rhythm. But like I said, I think the break in the long run will help Justin more than hurt him. That the break he had, he was forced to take. Because he hadn't taken a break in almost two years. So he needed to have his body rested. So I'm expecting him to come back stronger," Cone said.
Gilas will begin daily training on Monday with the players available, minus those who will be competing in the PBA Philippine Cup finals.
"I think if we're trying to work one thing out, as you say, what are we going to try to accomplish from between now and the start of the tournament, is to really upgrade our defense, really come out and try to be a dominant defensive team," Cone said.
Following the tough schedule Gilas had before including the friendlies in Doha, flying to Taiwan and New Zealand, Cone said they are no longer trying to make a lot of adjustments given the team is intact.
"It was a really, really tough trip for us, however, you know, we did a lot of experimentation, we tried different lineups, we tried to do some different defenses with Junemar to see what would work, so we got kind of that under our belt, and now I think we can elevate from there," Cone added.
GILAS AWAITING KQ'S RETURN
As the team nears completion, Cone said they are still awaiting the return of Kevin Quiambao, who is still in the United States.
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"I've been in communication with KQ. He is, he's got to work out with five NBA teams on the 11th. Yeah, so on the 11th he's working out in front of five NBA front offices. And so that will kind of dictate his schedule after that," he said.
"He's able to draw some interest. He might end up being in the summer league a little bit longer. If not, he'll come back earlier. But the 16th, I think, is his, his date really to come back," Cone explained.
Quiambao, who is signed with the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League, is now in Sacramento training and trying out for NBA teams.
The 6-foot-6 forward was left out of the Sacramento Kings lineup for the NBA 2K26 Summer League roster.
GILAS TO FACE MACAU, JORDAN
Cone said they will have two tune-up games before they compete in the FIBA Asia Cup.
SBP earlier announced Gilas will face the Macau Black Bears who are part of the East Asia Super League on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"They played the Chinese national team and beat them. So they're a tough team, we know they're tough. We wanted to have someone tough to play us before we leave," he said.
Cone said they also want to play in front of the Filipino fans before they leave for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
When will new additions Rhenz Abando, Zav Lucero join Gilas training?
"I think that's important for the players, get the feeling from the fans how important this all is to them. We don't get to see the Gilas team live often we're always overseas playing. Once in a while we get home games so I think it's important to play one friendly so we can showcase to the public," he said.
Ramos called on Filipinos to show their support in the tune-up on July 28.