Gilas Pilipinas kicks off the killer stretch of its Asian Games preparation as it opens its training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy on Saturday.
Gilas coach Tim Cone said they will be holding twice-a-day practices while developing chemistry and camaraderie needed in their quest for title in the prestigious quadrennial meet set in Hangzhou from 23 September to 8 October.
“We’re going to be doing two-a-day practices. Do some extra work and team building drills. It’s really a time for us to get into a hyper-focus situation where there are no distractions,” Cone told Daily Tribune in an interview.
“You’re not going home to your family. You’re just going back to your room, waking up and playing basketball all day long and you’re going back to your room to sleep.”
“It’s really a hyper-focus situation for us. That’s valuable for us. It’s tough for the players, but it’s valuable.”
Cone and Gilas took a break on Friday before leaving for Inspire in Calamba, where they will hold closed-door training sessions.
But before getting a short break to recharge and refocus, Gilas spent time with the Gilas Women, who will be competing in the Asian Games for the first time ever.
Cone and his boys also used the morning session for another set of practice.
“I want you to take shots from all corners of the basketball court,” Cone told his players.
“Think of shots that you’ve got to make. Think about getting shots from all different places.”
“You’ve got a backdoor to the basket, you’ve got a drive, you get a pass. We’re getting baskets from everywhere. It’s beautiful. You’ve got a drive to the basket, you have an elbow jumper, get the ball to the post. We’re now beginning to show you the totality of the offense.”
