Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo return as Gilas begins Asian Games preps

Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo were among the familiar faces who showed up on Monday in Gilas Pilipinas' first practice in preparation for the Asian Games slated on September 25 in Hangzhou, China.

Abueva and Romeo, who will make their national team duty comeback since their involvement in the infamous brawl against Australia in 2018, participated in the training held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City led by head coach Tim Cone.

Aside from the two, also present were naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame as well as holdovers June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, and Japeth Aguilar, all of whom played for the Gilas in the recently-concluded 2023 FIBA World Cup here.

Rounding out attendees are Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Mo Tautuaa, Jason Perkins, and Stanley Pringle. Roger Pogoy, who was also part of the World Cup squad, was in the venue but didn't participate in the training session due to a medical issue.

According to Cone, Pringle is a reserve player in case of injuries while also adding that Abueva and Perkins' inclusions are still awaiting approval from the Asian Games organizers.

"We still got Perkins and Calvin Abueva who are not 100 percent sure. They're 100 percent sure to be on the team if they're allowed to be on the team," Cone said.

"Yeah, this is our group. This is what we want to go with and we're really keeping our fingers crossed with Jason and Calvin because these are two positions we don't really have."

"Those two guys, we don't really have that three and four guy and if we can get them, that makes us more versatile."

Gilas will continue doing their daily training at the Philsports until Friday before they leave for a training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna, which will run September 21. They will also figure in a tuneup game against South Korea club LG Sakers on September 22 here.

Cone added that conducting co-practice with the Gilas Pilipinas Women is in the pipeline for his wards.

"And it's not confirmed yet but we're hoping to have a co-practice with the women's Gilas team," the veteran coach added.

"We want them to be involved, we want them to feel like we're all part of this thing going into the Asian Games. We're leaving for Inspire on Saturday and we'll be there until the 21st."

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News