Denison Rey A. Dalupang (philstar.com) - February 14, 2018 - 10:05am

MANILA, Philippines – The countdown to Gilas' first game in the second FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers window is down to single digits, but the same problem persists.

Personnel issues continue to hound the national team a few days away from the its game against the highly touted Aussies.

"You know, [the personnel problem] derailed that plan again," head coach Chot Reyes told reporters during the second edition of Gilas' training at the Meralco Gym in Pasig on Tuesday night.

"We go on a day-to-day basis ... something always comes up. May bagong nai-injure, nagkakasakit, meron namang may ibang laro sa iba," the veteran tactician said. "Si Kiefer (Ravena) may sakit .. We were really looking forward to having CJ Perez and Robert Bolick come in more full time with us. Unfortunately, meron naman silang PCCL tournament."

Here at the Meralco Gym for #Gilas’ second day of training for the #FIBAWCAQ ga mes vs Australia and Japan next week. @StarSportsHub pic.twitter.com/8OZxw5ADfE

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) February 13, 2018

Here @ #Gilas practice:
Alas, Aguilar, Blatche, Castro, Norwood, Fajardo, Belo, Rosario, Pogoy, Abueva, Maliksi, Cruz, Jalalon and Ravena.

Bolick, Tratter, Perez, Tolentino & Tuffin of #23for23 also here.

Ikeh and some African cagers helping in play simulations. #FIBAWCAQ

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) February 13, 2018

But if it's any consolation, at least forward Troy Rosario is back. But even that comes with a catch.

"He's cleared to practice," Reyes said of the TNT cager. "But he's really not cleared to play. He's cleared to do some light workouts, shooting drills but not really full contact."

"But not really [cleared for] full contact (trainings), so you know, we’re not keeping our hopes up high for him to be able to join the team," he said.

Rosario figured in a bad fall in TNT's game against Phoenix. His chin hit the floor first but was able to cushion it with his right wrist — which is his shooting hand. But he was pulled out of that game via a stretcher.

But if it's any indication, the 25-year-old cager was participating in post-practice shootarounds.

@troyrosario18, who figured in a nasty fall in TNT’s game against Phoenix last week, rejoined #Gilas’ practice on Tuesday night. He is not yet cleared for full-contact drills, though. #FIBAWCAQ @PhilstarNews @StarSportsHub pic.twitter.com/98e1AJHu33

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) February 13, 2018

As if echoing his line from a previews interview where he tersely raised "What's new?" Reyes, for his part, on Tuesday tweaked his tone.

"Like I keep saying, we just have to make do with the situation and make the most out of it," he closed.

Gilas faces an Australian side devoid of NBA players for the first leg of the second window. They cap off the phase with a home stand against Japan at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 25.

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