CASTRO WILL PLAY THROUGH PAIN, LEE PRACTICES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 21 Aug 2014
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes heaved a sigh of relief when an MRI and X Rays on Jason Castro showed no ?structural damage? as the countdown continues to the FIBA World Cup in Spain which opens on August 30.
In an exclusive overseas telephone conversation with the Manila Standard/Viva Sports early Thursday morning Manila Time, Reyes said ?There is no rupture of the achilles. Jason seems in high spirits after we got the results and told us he is ready to play through the pain in a few days? although the doctors reportedly recommended a couple of weeks rest.
Paul Lee who also underwent the same tests as Castro was in much better shape. In fact Reyes told us ?he practiced today in preparation for the game against Angola tomorrow? in the Philippine national team?s tune-up series for the World Cup.
In the draw held last February 4 the Philippines was drawn in Group B along with Argentina, Greece, Croatia, Puerto Rico and Senegal and will play their group games in Seville.
After an impressive performance in their opening game of a pocket tournament in Antibes against the European champions France, Gilas Pilipinas suffered big losses to Greece and Ukraine where the size of their opponents and remarkable outside shooting took its toll.
Upon their return to Spain for another series of tune-up games, Gilas Pilipinas lost to the Basque National Team Euskadi 75-66 where the Filipinos made a fourth quarter run to cut the lead to six points with 1:30 remaining but ran out of time.
Reyes was pleased about what he described as ?a strong comeback? but lamented the fact that after he pulled out naturalized NBA player Andray Blatche to give him some rest and sent in Junmar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar in the last two minutes of the first quarter, a one point deficit soon ballooned to 11 at the end of the first quarter.
The coach also questioned the referees calls pointing out that unsportsmanlike fouls called on Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood and a technical slapped on Jared Dillinger were ?very questionable? which compounded the problems of the nationals.
Reyes said his biggest problem at the moment ?is homesickness. You don?t realize until you feel it, but this is part of the sacrifice we all have to make.?
While the team?s spirits were lifted by the presence of cheering, flag-waving Filipinos wherever they played which earned the appreciation of the players and the coaching staff, being away from home for a long stretch and missing their families, hurt.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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