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NOONG Miyerkoles ay pinarangalan ng Philippine Basketball Association ang Gilas Pilipinas 3.0 na tumapos bilang runner-up sa katatapos na FIBA Asia Championships na ginanap sa Tsina.
At sa paghahanda ng national team ni coach Tab Baldwin para sa FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament sa susunod na taon, inamin ni Baldwin na nais niyang harapin ang mas pinalakas na 17-man national pool na inilabas ng PBA bago magbukas ang bagong season.
“I’m excited to get out on to the court with them (17-man pool),” wika ni Baldwin.” I think it’s a great sign for Philippine basketball and for the fans because of all the quality talent that we can pick. It’s also a great motivation for all players to join Gilas in the future by taking in all the best players.”
Kasama sa 17-man pool sina Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, June Mar Fajardo, Ian Sangalang, Greg Slaughter, LA Tenorio, Marcio Lassiter, Ryan Reyes, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Japeth Aguilar at Troy Rosario.
Plano ni Baldwin na dalhin ang mga hindi nakasama sa pool tulad nina Asi Taulava, Dondon Hontiveros, JC Intal, Sonny Thoss at Gary David para makatulong sa transition period sa mga baguhan lalo na sobrang iksi ang paghahanda nila para sa Olympic wildcard na kung saan isa ang Pilipinas sa mga nagnanais na idaos sa bansa ang torneo.
“The tightness, the bond, I want to translate to the next team and when you change personalities and change character, you change chemistry and this is what I’m trying to reestablish,” ani Baldwin. “It’s going to be very difficult given the short preparation time. We have to work hard, work smart. This is a huge sacrifice for these guys because everything is on the accelerated pathway.”
Samantala, nagulat si Tenorio nang isinama siya sa bagong pool ni Baldwin.
“I was talking to coach Tab and I told him na nagulat ako na nakasama ako sa pool. Pero masaya naman ako at tinanggap pa rin ako. Natakot nga ako na dahil hindi ako naglaro sa last FIBA Asia, hindi na ako makakasali sa team,” ani Tenorio.
(James Ty III)
