Philippine national basketball team coach Chot Reyes is hoping to get Scottie Thompson and Kai Sotto into peak shape in time for their FIBA World Cup tiff against the Dominican Republic next week.
Thompson and Sotto, both recovering from injuries, have been playing full contact basketball with the national team pool since last Sunday.
“Kumpleto nang lahat, full contact, no limitations, and no restrictions,” said Reyes in an interview with CNN Sports Desk on Wednesday.
Reyes said the two may apparently look in good shape, but being conditioned into game shape is different altogether.
“That remains to be seen. Iba ang kundisyon sa practice, iba ‘yung conditioning sa laro,” said the longtime Gilas coach. “The two guys, they have some catching up to do. We have nine days; hopefully we could get them there; we could fast track their progress and level.”
Prior to rejoining the pool, Thompson was nursing a metacarpal injury. Sotto, on the other hand, had to sit out for a while due to back spasms.
The national team will kick off its FIBA World Cup campaign against the Dominican Republic on August 25. This will be followed by a joust against Angola on August 27. Gilas will wrap up its group play campaign against Italy on August 29.
“I know Scottie because his injury was in his hand; he never stopped running. Kai was a different matter; he couldn’t go too much because of his back problems,” said Reyes. “We have these last nine days to get them to the shape we need them to.”
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