Gilas Pilipinas could be trotting the globe for much-needed exposure as part of its efforts to grow and develop into the best team it could possibly be.
Head coach Tab Baldwin said that the young Nationals would probably fly to the United States and Europe to take part in tournaments, as the program aims to shift its preparations for the 2023 FIBA World Cup into a higher gear.
The prestigious global hoops meet to be hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia are just a couple of years away from now.
“There will probably be some tours in the US, and gigs in Europe as well,” the program director said during the World Cup Qualifiers Draw, Tuesday.
Baldwin has long been emphasizing the need for Gilas to go abroad and play, for it greatly helps in the maturation process of his crew.
Just last month, the men’s team went to Amman, Jordan for the 10th King Abdullah Cup, where it finished fourth after bowing in the semis. There, it faced more experienced teams such as Jordan, Tunisia, and Egypt.
The week-long tournament would have been their preparation for the 2021 Asia Cup, but the Jakarta-hosted tilt deferred to next year due to the severity of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation there.
Such postponement definitely halted the momentum of Gilas, but it won’t have to wait for long. Baldwin said that the team will buckle down to work by October to gear up for the Qualifiers’ first window the following month.
“September will be very quiet for us but October will be the restart of our practices. November, we will be preparing for the window,” he said.
And that could be the start of a busy stretch for the Filipino cagers entering 2022, where there will be lots of events in their calendar.
Aside from the year-round Qualifiers and the Asia Cup, there is also the postponed 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, as well as the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China to take part in.
But then again, there will still be the planned US and Europe trips in between, assured the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“What we need to do right now is to identify the possible tournaments we can join. There might be out-of-the-country gigs too. This is to strengthen our team and continuously improve heading into 2023,” said SBP SAP Ryan Gregorio.
“A lot of experience to be gained playing here and around the world,” Baldwin offered.
