Gilas adds last-minute replacements amid Asian Games eligibility issues | Sports Desk - video Dailymotion

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Gilas Pilipinas isn't backing down from its latest challenge ahead of the Asian Games.  As Pauline Verzosa reports the Men's National Basketball Team had to adjust by revamping its lineup before the continental showpiece tips off.    Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 Four PBA players answer the national team's call when it mattered the most.

00:04 Chris Ross, CJ Perez, Kevin Delaz and Arvin Tolentino are coming in as last-minute replacements

00:09 just days before GILAS Pilipinas heads into battle in the 19th Asian Games in China.

00:14 This following the host country's rejection of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas' earlier

00:18 request to include Calvin Abueva, Jason Perkins, Terrence Romeo and Mo Tautua, players who were

00:24 not part of the initial list submitted to the organizing committee.

00:27 "The 60 list I'm told was given months ago because there was a request already as early

00:35 as two, three months to submit a list.

00:37 They brought it down to 37.

00:39 Again, of course, there are players from UAP, players from Japan, Korea.

00:45 That's where we are now.

00:46 So we're just trying our very best to, as what Coach Tim said, form the team that he

00:52 feels will work together."

00:54 Sharpshooter Marshall Lassiter has also been tapped to replace RR Pugoy, who is dealing

00:59 with a serious health issue, according to the SVP.

01:02 Cohn admits their situation is a huge setback, especially with only a week left before they

01:06 play their first game.

01:08 But he adds they remain hopeful for a positive response from the organizers.

01:12 "We are still finding avenues in which to try to get them in.

01:16 The word we've gotten just immediately is that they probably will not be available.

01:22 So they're still up in Inspire Camp and practicing with us until we get that final, final word.

01:27 There's a 48-hour window.

01:29 If it doesn't happen within 48 hours, then we'll probably just go in one direction."

01:35 Team manager Alfrances Chua-Bears, Abueva and others turned emotional upon hearing the

01:39 news, especially after they've sacrificed much of their time and effort training with

01:44 the squad.

01:45 The national team even considered backing out, but the coaches and players remained

01:49 headstrong in their mission.

01:51 "Last night, it's very emotional.

01:54 We talked to the four.

01:57 We really wanted to cry because even for a moment, the team became solid.

02:08 The quickest way to say is, 'Huwag na lang.'

02:11 Hindi na sasali ang Pilipino.

02:13 Hindi na sasali ang Pilipinas.

02:16 And the seven players, the number one who answered, 'Una, una sa Junmar.'

02:20 And everybody wants to play."

02:23 Gila's Pilipinas will have a final tune-up game against Korean club LG Sackhurst this

02:27 Friday before flying to Hangzhou, China on Saturday.

02:30 Pauline Verzosa, CNN Philippines.

Gilas adds last-minute replacements amid Asian Games eligibility issues | Sports Desk

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