Attendance – or the lack of it – is again turning into a major concern for Gilas Pilipinas as it prepares for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes admitted that things are not going well in the early stretch of their training as injuries have thrown a monkey wrench into their preparation for the prestigious 32-nation conclave that the country will host from 25 August to 10 September.

Their biggest stars in Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto were understandably out, but the absence of the likes of AJ Edu, Poy Erram, Ray Parks, Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Justin Brownlee, Dwight Ramos, Jamie Malonzo and Jordan Heading had prompted them to drop their full-contact drills during the second day of training Tuesday night at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.

The health condition of Gilas is so bad that Carl Tamayo begged off from joining the pool as he aims to use the off-season to strengthen his knee.

Brownlee, Malonzo and Ramos are expected to arrive this week, Gilas team manager said in a Viber message to Daily Tribune.

Brownlee was placed under health and safety protocols in the United States but can rejoin the Gilas pool before the team pushes for its training camp at the Inspire Academy in Laguna.

Malonzo, on the other hand, has not yet returned since skipping Gilas' participation in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games due to family matters in the United States.

Ramos just wrapped up the season playing in the B. League.

But Parks and Heading are still nursing separate injuries, according to Antonio.

"Parks has a hand injury while Heading is undergoing rehab in the US," Antonio said.

Edu and Erram, for their part, were around but were limited only to light workouts due to injuries.

The 6-foot-10 former Toledo College star, Edu, suffered an ankle injury while training in Brisbane while Erram is still nursing a sprained ankle.