Between now and the coming 2023 FIBA Basketball World Championship, getting all the best players available to train for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball pool is the best thing to do.
Having a big collection of players to choose from will help strengthen the Gilas pool within the next two years.
Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas Program Director Tab Baldwin said this over the weekend during a huddle on Zoom In on SPIN.ph.
Baldwin felt that finding the right mix of players for Gilas is a complex decision at the moment.
"We always want to put the best players on the court that are available. Whether they be PBA players, whether they be collegiate players, or international players. So I think, in the next couple of years, it's going to be a continuing saga for us. For the meantime, what we will try to do is develop as many players within the system and as we possibly can," said Baldwin.
Baldwin said that they are avoiding situations involving players who have not been part of the program but will seek inclusion to the national squad eventually.
“It’s a complex problem,” added Baldwin.
The national squad has broken camp this week to take a rest.
After reentering a training bubble three weeks ago at the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, the players involved will resume practices this weekend in preparation for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window this June in Clark.
Among those who joined the bubble since the beginning are Gilas draftees Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto, Isaac Go and Rey Suerte, along with newbies Jordan Heading, William Navarro, Tzaddy Rangel and Jaydee Tungcab.
Also around are Kenmark Carino, Javi Gomez de Liano, Dave Ildefonso, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, Justine Baltazar, Jason Credo, Geo Chiu, Lebron Lopez and naturalization candidate Ange Koame.
Baldwin will be joined at the coaching staff by Jong Uichico, Sandy Arespacochaga, Boyet Fernandez and Caloy Garcia.
After this, the nationals will proceed to Serbia for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament set on June 29 to July 4.
The Asian Cup Qualifiers will be held from June 16 to 20.