Hindi pa man nito nalalaman kung sino ang makakasama sa grupo ng Pilipinas sa 2016 Rio Olympic Qualifying Tournament ay aminado na si national coach Tab Baldwin na pinakakrusyal ang kanilang magiging unang laban sa torneo na gaganapin sa Hulyo sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
“A lot rely on our first game,” sabi ni Baldwin, sa pagdalo nito sa lingguhang Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum sa Shakey’s, Malate kasama si Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) director at Team Pilipinas manager Butch Antonio kahapon.
“As a coach, I believe in preparation and I am really, really cautious with our first match because it is the most crucial point in our campaign,” ani Baldwin.“ It’s gonna be tough because we are facing some of that 18 best teams in the world,” sabi pa ni Baldwin.
Optimistiko naman si Baldwin na makakasama ang Fil-Am at Los Angeles Lakers player na si Jordan Clarkson sa Gilas squad habang inaasam niyang madagdag ang sentro ng Rain or Shine na si Raymond Almazan para mas mapalakas ang binubuo nitong koponan.
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“Jordan (Clarkson) made a statement, that he himself is working his papers with FIBA and his team. I don’t suspect that there will be any problem with the Lakers, if he is available thanks and if he is not, then we will go on without him,” sabi ni Baldwin.
Ang naturalized player naman na si Andre Blatch ay kasalukuyang naglalaro sa China at nagkumpirma na ng kanyang muling paglalaro para sa bansa.
“We really want to get these guys assembled as early as we can and create the strongest team possible.That’s the task that we have in our hands right now. Our advantage now is that we got quality time to prepare and to build the strongest roster that we could assemble,” ayon pa kay Baldwin.
Samantala, ikinalungkot naman nito ang balitang hindi na makakasama sa koponan si Kobe Paras, ang anak ni dating PBA Rookie-MVP Benjie Paras, dahil hindi ito papayagan ng kinaaaniban nitong UCLA squad sa Estados Unidos habang malabo rin ang tsansa ni Bobby Ray Parks Jr. na kasalukuyan naman kumakampanya sa NBA D-League. (ANGIE OREDO)
