Aminado si national coach Tab Baldwin na pinaka-underdog ang Pilipinas sa makakaharap nitong France at New Zealand sa gaganaping Olympic Qualifying Tournament sa Manila para sa 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics sa Hulyo 5 hanggang 11.
Sa kabila nito, ipinaliwanag ni Baldwin na optimistiko siya na mas magiging hamon ito para sa mga magiging miyembro ng pambansang koponan upang mas lalong pag-ibayuhin ang paghahanda para sa hangad na magkuwalipika sa darating na Olimpiada.
“We only have the underdog chances,” sabi ni Baldwin, na pinarangalan bilang Sportsmen Who Take The Lead ng Spin.ph noong Sabado ng gabi sa Marriott Hotel.
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“We have to go out there ready to take a punchers chance against the fighter, that is what we should gonna be. We might only got a few swings in the game so we gonna get those swings for defenses, that is the best mentality we will have, we would certainly be going out there armed with our chances,” sabi pa nito.
Sinabi ni Baldwin na pinakamalakas pa rin sa kanilang nakatakdang makalaban ang France subalit naroon naman aniya ang kanilang tsansa gaya ng naisagawa noon ng New Zealand nang talunin nito ang una sa kanilang naging paghaharap sa FIBA World Championships.
“We don’t wanna go out there and bowing out.I don’t want our players going out there with a mentality of just bowing to our opponents. We had to take our chances. I have no doubt on all the players going out there just to be marquee but to play out their best. None of that guarantee us success,” sabi pa ni Baldwin.
Ipinaliwanag ni Baldwin na kahit ang katapat nitong coach sa France ay hindi din umaasa na agad matatalo ang Pilipinas.
“I know Coach Collet is wary of and they are guaranteed to beat us either. They know they are in for a tough job but there is no reason for us to bow down on them.I always believe underdogs win every day,” sabi ni Baldwin.
Umaasa naman ito na hindi makakalaro lahat para sa France ang kanilang mga NBA players ngunit hindi naman aniya puwedeng balewalain ang ilang di pa kilalang mga manlalaro na makakabilang sa delegasyon.
“I don’t think nobody knows right now if they will be playing in their rosters.You know, there are things that can happen like injuries, some player had contract issue to sort out and the NBA to reconcile issue with these players. Nobody knows who will be in the lineup as they may have their priorities, and or expiring contract,” ayon pa kay Baldwin. - Angie Oredo
