RP team pinoporma na (Lalaro sa SEABA, SEA Games)

ni James Ty III

NAGSIMULA na si Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin ng pagsasaayos ng pambansang koponan na nakatakdang sumali sa Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) sa Abril at ang Southeast Asian Games sa Hunyo na parehong gagawin sa Singapore.

Sa lingguhang forum ng Philippine Sportswriters Association kahapon sa Shakey’s Malate, sinabi ni Baldwin na nagsisimula lang siya sa pagkilala sa 22 na manlalarong galing sa UAAP, NCAA at PBA D League na kasama sa pool.

“My first meeting with these players was very positive. A lot of talent showed up at the gym,” wika ni Baldwin. “I am giving these guys a minimal system which I hope they can absorb slowly. A lot of concepts will be introduced to these kids during the first two days followed by scrimmages in the next two days.”

Ilan sa mga manlalarong sumipot sa unang araw ng tryouts na ginanap sa PhilSports Arena sa Pasig noong Lunes ay sina UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena, D-League Aspirants Cup MVP Bobby Ray Parks, Gilas Pilipinas cadet Garvo Lanete, Jeron Teng, Arnold Van Opstal, Troy Rosario, Thomas Torres, Prince Rivero at ang naturalized na manlalarong si Marcus Douthit na naglalaro rin para sa Blackwater Sports sa PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Inaasahang darating sa mga susunod na tryouts sina Baser Amer at Art de la Cruz ng San Beda pagkatapos ng kanilang final examinations.

“We expect to trim the lineup to 16 within the week then down to the final 12 next week,” ani Gilas team manager Butch Antonio sa nasabi ring forum. “We requested for an extension of the deadline of the submission of players to the SEA Games organizing committee in Singapore and I’m sure they will grant our request.”

Kasama ni Baldwin sa coaching staff sa SEA Games at SEABA sina Jimmy Alapag, Josh Reyes, Mike Oliver at Nash Racela.