Sa kabila ng natamong kabiguan sa world ranked No.5 France nitong Martes sa pagbubukas ng group stages ng ginaganap na FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament sa Mall of Asia Arena, naniniwala si Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin na may napatunayan ang kanyang koponan.

Ayon kay Baldwin, naipakita nila sa mga taong pinagdududahan ang kakayahan ng Gilas na may tsansa sila at kaya nilang makipagsabayan sa mga world class teams na tulad ng France na pinangungunahan ng mga NBA players na sina Tony Parker at Boris Diaw, at dating NBA player Nando de Colo.

“It stings a little bit because we proved we had a chance in this game and we had a lot of doubters as to whether we can compete, so they feel bad and feel disappointed,” pahayag ni Baldwin pagkaraan ng kanilang laro na sinaksihan ng halos 20,000 mga Filipino basketball fans.

Ngunit, aniya, wala silang panahon upang isipin pa ang lahat at malungkot sa pangyayari dahil may nakatakda pa silang laban kontra New Zealand na isinagawa kagabi kung saan nakasalalay ang kanilang pagkakataon upang makausad sa knockout semifinals.

Alex Eala, inakyat ulit new-career high bilang rank 40 sa mundo!

Naroon man ang panghihinayang dahil hindi nila nagawang mamintina ang matikas na panimula kung saan nakuha pa nilang makalamang ng 10 puntos (30-20), kumpiyansa si Baldwin sa magandang kinabukasan ng bansa sa international tournament.

“But in 24 hours, we can take care of a lot of things in life so putting this loss behind us and the importance of tomorrow’s game, we should do everything we need to,” ani Baldwin.

Inamin ng American-Kiwi coach na ang kanilang kakulangan din sa karanasan ang naging susi ng kabiguan kontra France.

“I thought we got off to a great start and we sustained them. But France is one of those teams that don’t panic and they shouldn’t panic,” pahayag ni Baldwin.

“With the players they (French) have, they just pounded the way in scoring and they focused on their strengths,” aniya.

“I thought Tony Parker took over in the second quarter and he and (Boris) Diaw really controlled the game.”

(Marivic Awitan)