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Despite having no PBA players for the Manama window of the 2021 FIBA Asian Cup Qualifiers, Gilas program director Tab Baldwin had hundreds of players to choose from to make up the group.
However, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic limited who could bring the team’s Calambubble 11 days before they left for Bahrain.
Some of the players that the American-Kiwi tactician wanted to be part of the group were Fil-Kiwi Kenneth Tuffin, Fil-Australian James Spencer and Fil-Italian Dalph Panopio.
Tuffin, 23, from FEU is in New Zealand having just played for Taranaki in the NZ-NBL. He’s a 6-foot-4 swingman.
On the other hand, Spencer, 20, from UP is in Australia. The 6-foot-3 3D specialist was part of Gilas’ youth squad that played in the 2019 U19 World Cup.
Although strict travel restrictions prevented them from traveling back home.
“In fact, we invited Ken Tuffin and James Spencer.
“They were both out of the country and there were only issues around going back to the country and the things they were doing in Australia and New Zealand, so those are two guys and that could have given us more wings. We already had a surplus of wings so it didn’t hurt not to have them ”. Baldwin told Coaches Unfiltered.
The case of Panopio, however, was different.
The heady 6ft 1 story general, who is only 20 years old, is currently in the States as he is enrolled at South Plains Junior College in Levelland, Texas.
He is in the process of trying to regain his amateur status, having recently gotten engaged to Cal State Bakerfield.
“I really like Dalph. He brings with him the teachings of European football. I think he is a very good talent. Dalph has gone to the United States and played there in college, so again he’s another guy who’s definitely on our radar, but he’s another guy who has conflicting responsibilities. “ shared Baldwin.
“He was invited to come through the window, but he was simply unable to attend due to his responsibilities to the university team and I suspect that we will continue to invite him and when those opportunities arise for him to enter, we will welcome him.”
Also considered by the Philippine Basketball Association were Mark Nonoy de La Salle and Rhenz Abando de Letran.
Though small for international play, Nonoy who is 5ft 8in and Abando who is 6ft2 can defend players much bigger than themselves, according to Baldwin.
“We consider everyone and those are very talented young players, but I think there is immaturity in terms of team play for both of them. I think both are outstanding individual talents at this point, both are exceptional athletes, both are a bit small for the positions they play, but in today’s game that doesn’t matter as long as you can defend more. people.
“So I think there are a lot of factors that go into how we view players and how we view them in the national team environment, but those are two guys that we definitely have our eyes on, among others. Just keep doing what they’re doing and prove yourself at every elevated level they asked to compete at. “ he said.
In the future, Baldwin hopes that these players will join Gilas even just in training.
Although in an ideal setting, the pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup will be the best of the best the country has to offer, there is still merit for players who form good chemistry with shoo-ins.
“I think everyone should understand that there is a caveat that comes with all these invitations that players who can answer the call get an advantage over players who can’t. Because we are preparing for 2023, in which we will not select a team that is the most talented group of players, we will select the best team, and part of becoming the best team is being part of the environment and learning the skills. and learn cohesion with the other players “ He undressed.
“So it’s not a situation where at the last minute I’m going to say that this player is available and that player is available and let’s take the best.”
