GILAS Pilipinas is raring to hit the ground running anew.
Coach Tab Baldwin said the nationals will likely train in the United States and Europe for big tournaments that include the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Asia Cup, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games.
“There will probably be some tours in the US, and gigs in Europe as well. A lot of experience to be gained playing here and around the world,” Baldwin said.
“September will be very quiet for us, but October will be the restart of our practices.
November, we will be preparing for the (first) window,” he added.
The Filipino dribblers were drawn in Group A with New Zealand, rival South Korea, and India, avoiding Group B teams Australia, which won the bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, and perennial Asian powerhouse China in the World Cup qualifiers.
Gilas is already assured of a berth in the world cage spectacle as co-host with Japan and Indonesia, however.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio admitted the lethal COVID-19 pandemic poses a big problem to Gilas’ preparations.
“I think the most important thing right now is for us to adapt with the prevailing situation. I think the circumstances have not changed from 12 months ago,” Gregorio said.
“I think the pandemic is still there and what we need to understand is we are not the only country suffering from this kind of an environment. So, we have to be continuously creative on how we can move forward with our preparations.”
Gregorio said despite the challenges, Gilas is out to prove its worth in the World Cup.
“Coach Tab and I, and of course the rest of his coaching staff and our boss Al Panlilio (SBP president) are always talking about how are we going to move forward? How are we going to be better compared to our last performance? And the best thing there is when are we going to start practicing again?” he posed.
