Baldwin: Crowd can only do so much

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin is not losing sleep ahead of tonight’s game against the fiery French squad in this six-nation Olympic qualifier.

Or the few other games up ahead.

“No. It doesn’t keep me up all night. But it’s on my mind,” said Baldwin in an ambush interview yesterday at Sofitel Hotel, the official hotel of the star-studded event.

Baldwin said one can’t help but feel it inside. No matter how much rest one gets, it’s like someone’s tapping on your window all night long.

“In these tournaments it doesn’t matter how much sleep you get because you always feel tired. And when you’re sleeping your mind is not fully at rest,” he said.

Gilas has done everything in the book to prepare for this event, and the chance to carry the country back to the Olympics after a 44-year absence.

Baldwin, however, wished he had longer time to prepare.

“I think were one of those teams that will significantly benefit from extended preparations, but we’re not gonna get it anyway,” he said.

“We have to be as ready as we can be. I feel that we have done a good job. The players have done an excellent job. We’re ready to go to battle tomorrow,” said Baldwin.

The players are healthy and the crowd is ready to cheer the Gilas on in the 9 p.m. match.

Baldwin, however, said the crowd can only do so much for the host team, not against a French team that’s been there and done that.

Coach Tab Baldwin huddles members of Gilas Pilipinas during a break in training.

The French have faced the toughest teams around and the type of a hometown crowd that just loves to get involved in the game.

In the end, Baldwin said it may not matter.

“It’s not like their players aren’t used to playing in big settings, big stadiums, big environments with big noise,” he said.

“They are. So I don’t think there’s anything that would intimidate them. But at the same time, they would be foolish not to respect any opponent and I’m sure that they do respect us,” added the American coach.

“They don’t have to play against the crowd. They have to play against us. I don’t think players of their experience and stature would be too affected by the crowd,” he said.

Yet, Baldwin is hoping it would.

“Hopefully they will. But I’m not expecting that. I’m not dependent on that,” he said.

“It’s really a tough game,” Baldwin said.