There’s a chance Meralco Bolts fans won’t see main man Chris Newsome suit up for the team in the ongoing PBA on Tour.
That’s because Meralco wants him to focus on Gilas Pilipinas, who will jumpstart training camp for the FIBA World Cup this week.
Coach Luigi Trillo said they are hoping his prized ward would get another shot at representing the country which he helped reclaim glory in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“We’re praying and hoping na magkaroon siya ng chance sa Gilas kasi once in a lifetime lang ‘yun,” said Trillo after a 96-88 win over the Converge FiberXers on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
After all, Trillo added, Newsome proved his mettle for Gilas.
“He proved naman, nagpakita siya when guys are down, he stepped up sa SEA Games. We want New focused (sa Gilas), that’s a once in a lifetime opportunity na ‘yung bansa nakataya dun. I hope he gets a chance,” he said.
If the crafty guard doesn’t make it, then the team would be glad to welcome him back into the fold.
“It’s good for him to have time to heal. He’s there in practice but we realized he needs some time to rest,” he said of the former Ateneo Blue Eagles standout, who hasn't played for the Bolts since the conquest in Phnom Penh.
“If we feel that he doesn’t make it then we will welcome him back. For now, my mind and thoughts would be for this guy to focus sa national team.”
(GM)