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The usual set of options won’t be on the table for Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for the November window of the 2021 FIBA Asian Cup Qualifiers, but its top officials know where to start looking to put together a roster. competitive of Gilas Pilipinas.
To begin with, the search will obviously not involve any personality currently within the PBA bubble in Pampanga.
“We do not expect the PBA bubble to burst in any way. We certainly ruled out the PBA players and coaches,” program director Tab Baldwin said on Sports Page on Tuesday. “We have to shake out bushes and rattlesnake cages and find players who deserve to be there and who are available.”
Instead, Gilas will rely heavily on his current pool of Gilas special recruits and players from the college ranks. Players abroad will also be considered, although that would make for a challenging quest.
“Either we’re looking overseas, which is very difficult, or we’re looking in the college ranks, which is probably more likely and the one that coach Ryan (Gregorio) and I spend our time working on,” Baldwin said.
Right now, Gilas has six players in his training group: Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Matt and Mike Nieto, and Allyn Bulanadi, in addition to Jaydee Tungcab.
Baldwin, however, knows they will need talent to fill the gaps on the roster.
“We are extremely fortunate to have a path – six dedicated players. Imagine if we didn’t have it, all the players are in the PBA, we would run out of dedicated Gilas players,” Baldwin said.
“At least we have players, that we really own their minds, own their bodies and develop them as a core. But with a great lack of experience at this point and serious deficiencies in the position. These things we have to shore up the cracks as much as we can, as fast as we can and at the same time see what weaknesses we can identify in our opponents, “he added.
Greg Slaughter expressed interest in playing for Gilas and he is perhaps the most talented big man available at the moment, but Badlwin reiterated that they are waiting for the center to finish their own discussions with Barangay Geneva first.
“I think Greg would be an advantage. I have seen his video, I think it is great. I would certainly appreciate it, but it is not a done deal at the moment. We have to work with Greg and the powers that are in his situation right now,” Baldwin said. “There are processes that must be taken care of and must be carried out correctly. Ryan and SBP are also working on that situation.”
SBP is also still in the process of selecting a head coach, although special assistant to president Ryan Gregorio said Coaches Academy director Jong Uichico could be a support for the coaching staff.
“We are still out on that,” he said of his search for a coach. “We already have a couple of names. But if there is one name that we both agreed on, it is that coach Jong Uichico should be part of the coaching staff.”
Baldwin, meanwhile, said he is more interested in developing the program than in coaching the national team.
“I certainly aspire to train at the highest level. I think it’s a blessing to be at this point in my career to work as a project manager, to work on long-term goals like 2023, to develop players and I’m really passionate about it.” about that, “Baldwin said.
“Yes, I want to have a role in the coaching of the national team, but right now my passion, my dedication and my job is the development of the program. To talk right now about being a head coach and a project director, is in conflict with myself. himself., “he continued. “Yes, we have to react to the scenario we find ourselves in, but I am passionate about developing our program and turning them into legitimate international players. I am excited and challenged by that. It is an integral part of our success going forward.” .
SBP admitted that it is “practically scrambled” throughout the process, but there is still a lot of optimism from its senior officials.
“To be honest with you, we were all surprised. But if you’re really cheering for the game to restart, a way for us to get back to a little bit of normalcy, we’re excited about everything,” Gregorio said.
Baldwin added, “God has a plan. He has a plan for all of us. We as basketball players have to find our way into that plan in the best possible way.”
