Philippines scouts rivals, draws bye in Jones Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines - In taking an opening-day bye, Gilas Pilipinas gets to size up its rivals today before the Nationals start their Jones Cup campaign versus the home team at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Xinchuang Gymnasium in Taipei.

Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin and his staff are expected to focus on the Iran-Korea tiff at 1 p.m. and on the Chinese Taipei-Japan tussle at 7 p.m.

Bereft of scouting reports on these top Asian teams, the Gilas coaching staff hopes to identify the strengths and weaknesses of these squads which are all potential playoff rivals of Team Phl in the coming FIBA Asia Championship.

The other games in Day One of the 2015 Jones Cup pit Chinese Taipei B versus the Wellington Saints of New Zealand at 3 p.m. and the USA Select-Overtake opposite Spartak Primorye of Russia.

With the first-day rest, the Filipinos, four-time Jones Cup champs, enjoy the benefit of scouting the opposition. The downside is a grueling grind of eight straight games from Aug. 30-Sept. 6.

Baldwin stressed, though, that it’s not about winning the event but getting better for the Asian qualifying event for the Olympics in China from Sept. 23-Oct. 3.

“Everything that leads up to (FIBA Asia) is about getting better, not about trying to win a game or get a medal. If it happens, and obviously we try to win every game we play, it’s a bonus for me,” said Baldwin.

“What we’ve got to do is become a team that can win FIBA Asia,” he added.

Baldwin is still in the process of forming a team, that’s why he’s got 17 players at his disposal in the Jones Cup.

From the Gilas roster made up of Andray Blatche, Moala Tautuaa, Sonny Thoss, Asi Taulava, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Troy Rosario, Aldrech Ramos, Gabe Norwood, JC Intal, Calvin Abueva, Dondon Hontiveros, Gary David, Matt Rosser, Jason Castro, Terrence Romeo and Jimmy Alapag, 12 will be picked at a time to suit up and play.

Baldwin is expected to identify his core group towards the end of the meet that Gilas Pilipinas ruled in 2012, presaging a stirring run all the way to the 2014 World Cup.

In Taipei, Gilas plays eight games in addition to three warm-up matches in Estonia against the home team, the Netherlands and Iceland.

Team Phl completes 14 warm-up games for FIBA Asia with three more matches against Chinese Taipei, Lebanon and the Wellington Saints in the MVP Cup at home on Sept. 11-13.

Iran and South Korea are among the teams to watch in the Changsha meet. The Iranians reigned supreme in the last FIBA Asia Championship while the Koreans topped the last Asian Games at home in Incheon.

Obviously in matchup preparation against Blatche, Iran’s Hamed Haddadi and China’s Yi Jinglian, Korea has reactivated 7-foot-3 giant Ha Seungjin.

A former Portland TrailBlazer, Ha played three FIBA Asia Championships from 2007. He’s rejoining the South Korean national team at 30.

For this year’s Jones Cup, the South Koreans will be defending the championship won by Ulsan Mobis Phoebus last year.

For the record, the United States is the winningest team in the Jones Cup with 15 championships followed by the Philippines and Iran with four each.

The Philippines ruled the event in 1981 with the NCC team led by Ricky Brown, in 1985 with a group including Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic, Hector Calma, Franz Pumaren, Chip Engleland, Dennis Still and Jeff Moore, in 1998 with the Phl Centennial Team by coach Tim Cone then in 2012 with Gilas under coach Chot Reyes.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine signed No. 3 pick Maverick Ahanmisi to a two-year contract worth P4.5 million yesterday. The 6-foot former University of Minnesota guard will receive the maximum salary (for rookies) of P150,000 and P225,000 on the second year.

“We’re happy with the result of our negotiations so we signed him to the max,” said Atty. Mert Mondragon. “We have no problem at all dealing with Maverick.”

Earlier, top two picks Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario inked pacts worth P8.5 million each with Talk n Text.