Don’t expect Gilas Pilipinas to slack off, even a little bit.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) SAP Ryan Gregorio said that nothing will ever change regarding the national team’s approach in the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers despite being a lock in the tournament proper.
The Philippines has already assured itself of a spot in the global conclave as the host. Still, the coach-turned-exec said that the youth-laden program won’t relax at any point in an aim to develop the best possible squad.
Photo from FIBA.Basketball
“It actually doesn’t change anything,” Gregorio said during the World Cup Qualifers Draw livestream on One Sports, Tuesday evening. “We’re still gonna prepare as if there’s a slot that we’re fighting for.
“Coach Tab [Baldwin] would attest to this that we’re really going for the win because we want to develop that winning attitude. We don’t want to come in there knowing that we’re already in, and we’re gonna slack off a little bit.”
Gilas, who finished dead last among 32 teams in the 2019 World Cup in China, is drawn in Group B. There, it will face long-time rivals South Korea, perennial contenders New Zealand, and upstart India.
“Each team presents something different,” offered head coach Tab Baldwin.
“And, they come from different parts of the world. I believe that our scouting needs to be on point and be ready to dance with whatever roster they will bring in, and build the best roster that we have,” he added.
Despite those varying challenges from their opponents, though, the American-Kiwi mentor echoed the sentiments of Gregorio. He stressed that developing the winning mentality within his wards is of utmost importance.
Photo from FIBA Asia Cup
“There’s a lot of facets that go into building a successful basketball team. And of course, the winning mentality is one of those,” said Baldwin, who’s also the SBP’s 5-on-5 program director.
“As Coach Ryan says, you have to be prepared to go out of the court and play every game as if it’s an elimination game. You have to treat games as if there is no tomorrow. And that’s how you develop the winning mentality in your players.”
