MANILA, Philippines — Philippine national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas on Monday, February 15 resumed once-a-week practices after a two-month break.
There were 13 players present for the late-night training session held at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Ateneo de Manila University.
Head coach Tab Baldwin, who led back-to-back practices with the Blue Eagles and Gilas Monday, had only 11 bodies to work with as San Miguel Beer's June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter sat out 12 days since copping the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup championship.
Key players who did not attend were Jayson Castro, Paul Lee (knee injury), Calvin Abueva, Greg Slaughter, and Ryan Reyes.
Gilas will be vying for a Rio Olympics basketball slot at the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be held in Manila in July.
The Philippines is grouped with France, New Zealand, Canada, Senegal and Turkey in the Qualifier. — Rappler.com