Gilas to resume bubble training for Asia Cup, Olympic qualifiers

After a few weeks of breaking camp, Gilas Pilipinas is heading back to the Inspire Sports Academy bubble in Calamba City, Laguna, on Monday, April 26, to resume training, as confirmed by program director Tab Baldwin.

This development comes as major FIBA events draw nearer and nearer.

These are the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga, and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, for June, and the Asia Cup proper in July.

Prior to their stoppage of training last March 30 due to the re-implementation of enhanced community quarantine in the Greater Manila Area or “NCR Plus,” Baldwin and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas committed an all-cadet team for training.

This list included soon-to-be naturalized Filipino Ange Kouame, and full-time Gilas players Isaac Go, twin brothers Matt and Mike Nieto, Rey Suerte, Jordan Heading, William Navarro, Tzaddy Rangel, and Jaydee Tungcab.

Adelaide 36ers’ newest signee Kai Sotto committed to head home as needed once schedules are sorted out between Gilas and the Australian NBL, the latter of whom hold Baldwin and his longtime work for national teams in high regard.

Dwight Ramos, who is currently in the US, is set to return home to join the camp as well.

Only Allyn Bulanadi begged off due to a lingering injury, and has yet to commit back to training.

Others who were invited are Kemark Carino, Javi Gomez de Liano, Dave Ildefonso, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, Justine Baltazar, Jason Credo, Geo Chiu and Lebron Lopez.

No PBA players were invited to the bubble for now aside from the 3×3 OQT team of CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Joshua Munzon, and Alvin Pasaol. – Rappler.com