- Some of our players went down with injuries. Kelly Williams' blood disorder returned (get well soon Kels), Jared Dillinger played some real life Grand Theft Auto on Skyway (good to hear you're getting better Jared, keep it up), Sonny Thoss went to China to find some herbal medicine for his back problems (congratulations on the championship), and the curse of Ryan Reyes continues, getting injured come the time for national duty (come on, man).
- In place of these fallen men, the team selected practice players - which I previously called them "The Replacements" - to complete the team in scrimmages. After over a week, "The Replacements" became "The Replacement" as Beau Belga was selected to join the team in Lithuania. You deserve it man!
- On a side note, Calvin Abueva was considered to join the trip. Yes, we all know what he's capable of bringing to a team, but we also know what he's capable of bringing to this team. Maybe just ask them to know what he should really be capable of bringing to a team and be not confused about anything that I said in this paragraph.
And now since we know where we were, nasaan na nga ba tayo?
Gilas is now on it's second of the 15-day European training camp. Whatever is happening on that trip is honestly between them and the Lithuanians. One known fact though is that Filipinos expects them to be like the Miami Heat or the San Antonio Spurs when they return. Expectations are supremely high this time, specially that we are the hosts of this very important event. People are asking questions. People are closely watching.
While many of the fans are busy fantasy booking this national team in their own blog sites, comment threads, or maybe in their classroom arm chairs, I'll happily change my approach on this entire tournament. Leave our own national team alone and check out what the other national teams are doing. Perhaps do some mean criticisms with them, and eventually start World War 5.
So while they're at Lithuania, let's check out the others. Where are they?
- The Jordan national team are currently in their home turf right now. Good news is that Zaid Abbas won't be playing in the championships due to injury. Bad news is that Sam Daghles will return in time for the championships. After Amman, this team will move to train in Greece and participate in tournaments in Turkey.
- The Chinese tsekwas are Australia bound with their highly touted Greek coach (Everyone seems to be revolving around Greece... what's with them?). They'll be getting tough competition from some mates and incidentally to other countries from other continents, as they are a part of the FIBA Stankovic Cup intercontinental tournament this June. This Chinese team showed that they do not need the Jones Cup to get high level competition. Countrymen, we'll find one of our own.
- What you all need to know about the Iranians? Hamed Haddadi is playing. Arsalan Kazemi is playing. The others will be playing. All complete.
And to top this all, where to next?
Just you wait, the draw will be up this afternoon. Just you wait.
