(UPDATE) GILAS Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes will squeeze every ounce of opportunity to make sure the national team gets the preparation it needs before making its 2023 FIBA World Cup debut against the Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. No wonder, Reyes is calling Gilas' upcoming mini-pocket tournament in Guangdong, China as the "penultimate" part of the national squad's World Cup preparation. The China pocket tournament is scheduled from August 2 to 5 with Gilas facing Lebanon, Iran and Senegal. The 7-foot-3 Sotto failed to show up at Gilas' practice on Tuesday night, the original date he was supposed to arrive. The Filipino young big man went scoreless after going 0-of-3 from the field, had two turnovers, but managed to grab two rebounds, issue an assist and one block against the Celtics.
