SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Though they’ve been called “inexperienced,” the young Gilas Pilipinas players hope to prove their doubters wrong in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers.
With only two weeks of preparation at the Inspire Academy in Calamba, Laguna, before flying out last Sunday, November 22, the team remains positive that it will be able to build chemistry in time for the opening game against Thailand on Friday, November 27.
“(It’s great to experience) combining different players from different teams, combining different basketball minds. It’s been fun to go out there and play with everybody. I think we’re on the right pace,” said Dwight Ramos.
Ramos chipped in 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals in Gilas’ 100-70 rout of Indonesia in the last window in February.
In the short time they’ve been together, Gilas head coach Jong Uichico also heaped praises on the potential of the future national team core.
“They play hard. They have energy. They have intensity. If they can translate all of those to the cerebral part of the game, then they’re the perfect bunch already,” said Uichico, who mentored the Philippine men’s basketball team in the 2002 Asian Games and 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
“They’re all go-to guys with their teams, but they’re now all go-to guys in one team. So how will they channel their individual skills into a team concept? They all can score, but it’s about trusting your teammate that he can also score,” he added.
The players have decided to embrace the pressure of becoming the future of Philippine basketball, and are working towards that goal.
“I think what coach Jong and (Gilas Pilipinas consultant) coach Tab (Baldwin) have preached is that anyone can be a leader. Every practice, someone else is stepping up, and that’s important now, growing a new generation of leaders, and showing that leaders aren’t born but made. You have to take responsibility,” said three-time UAAP champion Isaac Go.
Uichico, though, cannot rule out the numerous challenges and limitations that are hindering the team from showing its best performance against the pro players of Thailand.
“As much as we wanted to come in early, we came in a little late than expected. We’re trying to accomplish things as fast as we can,” he said.
“We’re not in game shape. We’re not fluid at this time. This is why the scrimmages are important. That’s what we lack. But we’re making the best with what we have,” Uichico added.
The Philippines, which stands behind Group A leader South Korea, will take on an all-pro Thailand team on Friday, November 27, before facing the Thai squad again on Monday, November 30, in a bubble in Manama, Bahrain. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.