After first tourney, Gilas Pilipinas still has long road ahead

MANILA, Philippines – A bald man kneels in front of his players in a huddle. His players have been sputtering in a pocket tournament and perhaps the strongest words he has uttered are caught: “We are getting beat off the dribble. It’s not as if this is the first time you are playing this game,” said Tab Baldwin in a time-out against Iceland in the 4-nation tournament in Estonia.

After superb defense and transition offense against the taller Iceland, the Philippines led Iceland 51-48 in the third period. But they relaxed in their switching defense, lost the hard defensive stops and returned to one-on-one offense against Iceland’s 3-point assassins as their foes surged 81-66.

Iceland just hung on to win 86-76 and Filipino cage fans went back to sleep.

With one month left before the FIBA Asia Championship on September 23, is there time? Time for the team to be whipped into shape, time for them to be worthy of the next logo in their uniforms: Laban Pilipinas?

Cohesiveness came in spurts in the Estonia series. There are several players who are not in shape. Andray Blatche is no longer the sleek and lithe big man who shone brightly for the Philippines in the World Cup but he can still shoot as well as before. Ranidel de Ocampo, who is injured, has put on some weight going to camp.

The first 5

The Philippine team brought joy to basketball fans watching live-streamed action at Sports5Ph when they started moving well. Solo layups of Terrence Romeo could be forgiven and even Blatche’s tendency to shoot can be overlooked as long as the ball falls into the hoop.

Will Marc Pingris, when he shows up for practice early this week, bring his hard-nosed game to the team? Baldwin tried out Calvin Abueva during the Estonia series but even his gutsy play fell short against their taller foes. (READ: Pingris on criticisms: Everything was my decision)

It is apparent that the first 5 will be Jayson Castro, Terence Romeo, Gabe Norwood, Blatche and Pingris. Ranidel de Ocampo and Asi Taulava will be relievers for Blatche and Pingris. The newcomers, led by Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Troy Rosario, Aldrech Ramos, have plenty of potential.

In the window between Estonia and the Jones Cup next week, one of these rookies will have to assume key roles.

(READ: Gilas Pilipinas blown out by Netherlands)

Baldwin will be cracking the whip on defense. This is a small team. It can’t afford to give up too much underneath. And the hard D Baldwin was preaching in the huddles will have to be used often.

In the Jones Cup, two traditionally difficult foes will face the Philippines in the first two games: Chinese-Taipei A and South Korea. Chinese-Taipei is famed for a pass-and-shoot game, but South Korea is notorious for rallying from big deficits to beat  the Philippines, as shown in the 2014 Asian Games. 

There are bright points in the Estonia series, especially when they played well. A new star was unveiled in Terence Romeo and if he can add the passing game plus defense, he can be valuable to the national team. (READ: Gilas rally comes up short in loss to Estonia)

The hopes of millions of Filipino basketball fans lie on the shoulders of Tab Baldwin, who has to play with the cards he has been dealt. – Rappler.com