Gilas faces ‘busy, tough’ road

MANILA, Philippines — SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan said yesterday the road ahead for Gilas will be “busy and tough” as the countdown leading to the FIBA 2023 World Cup builds pressure on coach Tab Baldwin’s Young Guns to get ready for the “Big Dance.” But with Gilas’ recent showing in three FIBA Asia Cup third qualifying window games in Clark and two Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) outings in Belgrade over 16 days, the team is clearly on the right track.

MVP said Gilas’ performance in Belgrade was “commendable.” The Philippines pushed World No. 5 and defending Olympic silver medalist Serbia to the limit, led with 3:42 to go and lost, 83-76 but only after a closing 10-2 run by the hosts. Against the Dominican Republic, Gilas battled tooth and nail until legs gave in. The Dominicans detonated a 24-2 bomb bridging the third and fourth quarters to ice it then breezed to a 94-67 victory. Gilas trailed by only four with 2:46 to go in the third then the roof caved in.

“I just wish we had a day’s rest between Serbia and the Dominican Republic,” said MVP. “This, principally and maybe Dwight’s (Ramos) healthy presence would have helped. Still and all, I can only regard our Belgrade overall performance as positive. Effort, results, puso.” MVP noted that “SBP has consistently said that this is a journey of improvement, of growth and progress (Korea and Serbia), of adversity – lessons learned, some painful (Dominican Republic).”

MVP said Gilas playing in the PBA is a possibility. In 1985, a non-pro national team coached by the late Ron Jacobs competed in the PBA and actually won a conference crown. “No more than one conference max per year, if only to give Gilas preparatory and real live competitive games,” qualified MVP. “Their schedule will be busy and tough between now and the 2023 World Cup, the “Big Dance,” which is our main focus.” Incidentally, MVP watched both Belgrade games live on OneSports TV, the first starting at 2:15 a.m. and the second at 2:30 a.m. “Killed my work day following,” he quipped.

SBP president Al Panlilio said he was happy with Gilas’ performance and like MVP, commented that playing PBA teams is possible. “Tab (Baldwin) and I discussed this before as we couldn’t find any international friendlies,” said Panlilio. “Will have to discuss with Tab and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.” Gilas arrived home from Belgrade last night on a Turkish Air flight and is billeted at the Conrad Hotel to undergo quarantine. SBP special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio will confer with Baldwin tomorrow on the training schedule preparatory to the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta on Aug. 17-29.