Riding High on Success
After winning two gold medals with Gilas Pilipinas and a PBA title with Meralco within 13 months, Chris Newsome aims to continue his success at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia.
Quick Transition to National Team
Newsome, fresh off Meralco’s first-ever PBA championship, joined the national team for their three-day, closed-door training camp at Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna. Despite a brief rest after the Philippine Cup Finals, Newsome maintained his fitness by working out in the gym to keep his energy and game rhythm.
Prepared for the Challenge
“I stayed in the gym and kept my game rhythm going while I’m already in shape, I’m already in (playing) condition and how my mind is. It’s already playoff intensity so definitely, I’m ready for the Olympic qualifier,” said Newsome. “I’m excited to get to work. We’re gonna give ourselves a chance to try to get to the Olympics for the country.”
Recent Achievements
Over the last 13 months, Newsome has been on a roll:
- Southeast Asian Games: Gold medal with Gilas in Cambodia (May)
- Asian Games: Gold medal with Gilas in Hangzhou, China (October)
- PBA Championship: Victory with Meralco Bolts against San Miguel Beermen
Tough Road Ahead
Newsome acknowledges the challenge ahead at the OQT. The Philippines is in Group A with Latvia and Georgia, while Group B includes Cameroon, Brazil, and Montenegro. The top two teams from each group advance to the crossover semifinals, and the finalists will play a winner-takes-all match for a spot in the Paris Olympics.
Facing Strong Competition
“It’s going to be really tough,” admitted Newsome, the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP. “Latvia, we all know what it is capable of. We saw their World Cup performance. They’re not gonna have (Kristaps) Porzingis, but they’re still going to be a stacked team.”
Latvia’s World Cup Performance
Latvia earned the moniker ‘giant slayer’ during the World Cup, finishing fifth after defeating powerhouse teams like France and Spain. They continued to impress by beating Italy and Lithuania in the classification phase.
Maintaining Faith and Focus
Despite the daunting task, Newsome remains optimistic. “It’s gonna be really on us, getting our practice sessions in, and re-adjusting to the system that we’re running with coach Tim,” he said.
Upcoming Friendlies
Gilas Pilipinas will leave for Europe on Tuesday night to play a pair of friendly matches against Turkey and Poland.
Conclusion
Chris Newsome’s dedication and recent successes position him and the Gilas Pilipinas team for a promising performance at the OQT. With a challenging road ahead, Newsome’s experience and faith in the team will be crucial as they aim for a spot in the Paris Olympics.(Voslot)