The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is plotting a European training camp to prepare Gilas Pilipinas for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia from 2 to 7 July.
In a conversation with Daily Tribune, SBP executive director Erika Dy said they are looking at Lithuania as a possible training venue for the Filipinos, who are seeking to return to the Summer Games for the first time since 1972.
The Philippines will be looking to survive Latvia and Georgia for a chance to grab one of the four remaining slots in the Paris Olympics.
Dy added that if and when the Lithuanian camp doesn’t materialize, they will send Gilas to either Belgium or Croatia.
“We talked with Lithuania and it could also be at Belgium and Croatia but nothing has been confirmed yet,” Dy said.
“Coach Tim (Cone) is hoping we will be able to play other European teams because that’s the level of play that we are up against.”
Training in Lithuania, the tenth-best basketball country in the world, is nothing new for the Filipinos.
In fact, former head coach Chot Reyes whipped Gilas into fighting shape in the tiny Baltic country for the FIBA World Championship in 2014 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup last year.
In a previous statement, Cone said the challenge is how the Filipinos can get a feel of European basketball in just a matter of days.
“We’ve got some invitations from Lithuania, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, we’re gonna work our way through those and see what we can do,” Cone said.
“The window for us to do it is only 10 days.”
Dy said the federation will be working closely with Cone as Gilas begin their camp on 22 June at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
“Obviously, this is in close coordination with Coach Tim. I think on 22 June we will be back in Inspire, that’s where the camp starts,” Dy said.
“Hopefully by 26 June, they will be able to fly to Europe to face the European teams.”
