All systems go as Gilas have first Monday practice
MANILA (2016 Rio Olympics) - There is no time like the present to start getting ready for a FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) - at least for the Philippines. Despite the national team having only
MANILA (2016 Rio Olympics) - There is no time like the present to start getting ready for a FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) - at least for the Philippines.
Despite the national team having only played in the FIBA Asia Championship Final against hosts China five weeks ago, coach Tab Baldwin and his players have gotten a head start on the competition they will face in one of next year's six-team OQTs by having their first practice.
The Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) last month approved a list of 17 players that Baldwin had wanted to consider for the the OQT and also agreed that each Monday, tho players could have national team training.
Gilas will have extended training periods when the PBA calendar allows for it.
Among the players that Baldwin named in his pool was center June Mar Fajardo.
The San Miguel Beerman star did not take part in the Asia Championship that was held in Changsha-Hunan but instead took time off to recover from some of the knocks he had picked up last season but he was in practice on Monday with Baldwin.
Ranidel De Ocampo, who is recovering from a back injury he suffered during a recent workout, was not at training.
Ranidel de Ocampo finally back home, but no definite timeline yet for PBA return https://t.co/8eRkWfeY01 pic.twitter.com/LiLQijsXEL
— Gilas Pilipinas (@SmartGilas) October 31, 2015
"I expected it," Baldwin said of the good turnout.
"That's what I was told was going to happen and it's good to see everybody here and it’s good to see the cream of the crop of Philippine basketball on one basketball court at the same time.
"But we're a long way away from anything, really right now.
"It's heartening for the basketball community and the Philippines to see this group of guys on the floor."
The Philippines have been on a roll the past few years.
In 2013, they hosted the FIBA Asia Championship and reached the Final under former coach Chot Reyes before falling to Iran.
Reyes then coached them at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in a series of close games, including one that saw Gilas beat Senegal, 81-79.
This summer at the FIBA Asia Championship, Gilas impressed again by making it to the title game before falling to China.
There will be three six-team OQTs next year with the winner of each progressing to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
FIBA