Can cramming make it for small Gilas Pillipinas?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Sep 2015
IRAN, as expected, remained the top team (to beat) based on the latest Power Ranking released by Fiba Asia in time for the region?s Olympic qualifying tournament set to start on Wednesday in Changsa, China. Iran is the reigning Asian basketball champion.
China, in a determined drive to regain Asian supremacy, is rated No. 2, followed by the Philippines.
The Philippines, represented by the Gilas Pilipinas squad, has been ranked third, based on its showing in the Jones Cup and the MVP Cup.
Gilas Pilipinas finished second to Iran in the Jones Cup in Taipei, and later topped the MVP Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
**
It was noted in the Fiba Asia ranking that the Philippines showed improvement in its last two tournaments.
Host China got its lofty ranking for its homecourt advantage, ?plus thebiggest line-up in the field featuring four players standing at least six-feet-10.?
Jordan, coached by former Gilas mentor Rajko Toroman, is fourth in the Fiba Asia ranking.
**
Regarding the supposed improved showing by the Philippines, it should be noted that national coach Tad Baldwin had tacitly admitted at the end of the MVP Cup that they were not yet ready for the Olympic qualifying test.
There was no specific factor mentioned and Baldwin instead tooK the national team to Cebu in a secluded build-up camp.
While the poor form of the overweight naturalized team pillar Andray Blatche has been a main concern, the light first-round schedule of Gilas in China means time could partly be on the Philippine side. Gilas Pilipinas is bracketed with lightweights Hong Kong, Kuwait and Palestine, and Blatche could yet make some recovery before the hard grind in the succeeding round.
**
Baldwin also appeared pleased with the commitment and weight improvement Blatche has so far displayed.
Based on reports, Gilas players have been going through a merciless grind as they cram in order to come up with a tough and respectable pressure defense.
Of course, the main target is still tall and mighty Iran, against which Baldwin has been working on fence-off, switch, box-out, shift, trap and everything possible.
**
Baldwin was also quoted as stressing the need for solid unity and perfect tempo in order to gain control of the floor.
Of course, it?s no secret that Gilas doesn?t have the desired manpower, the proper hardware needed to jump the gun on Iran.
But the credentialed coach appears convinced they can still make it, provided a special system he has prepared works.
As reported from Cebu before the Gilas team left for Manila, Baldwin had to go hard on crowd darling Terence Romeo for playing it soft in an exacting defensive drill.
The unorthdox Romeo, a pesky free-flower, continued to dribble and dance to a different drummer.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Brian Norman Jr.: "This Championship Belt Means Everything to Me!"
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Julian Gonzalez Takes on Former World Title Challenger Jason Sanchez in Main Event on Friday, June 27th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 18 Jun 2025IBA reaffirms its commitment to good governance and stability in Africa
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Day One of the USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes
Wed, 18 Jun 2025The Past Week in Action 16 June 2025: Hitchins Stops Kambosos; Wins by Andy Cruz and Teremoana; Donaire Returns
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 9 - MUHAMMAD ALI WINS WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 17 Jun 2025OKC Nears First NBA Title in Thunder Era; Outclasses Indiana, 120-109 in Game 5
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 17 Jun 2025Crawford Refutes #3 P4P Ranking; WBA Doesn't Forget Nonito Donaire
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 17 Jun 2025GM John Paul Gomez joins Touchmove in Roxas City
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Jun 2025Perfect foe, perfect outcome
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 17 Jun 2025Prospects Collide Results: Rajon Chance Defeats Yan Carlos Perez
Tue, 17 Jun 2025Undefeated Russian super middleweight Petr “The Surgeon” Khamukov to headline This Friday in Long Beach on DAZN
Tue, 17 Jun 2025International Boxing & MMA Consultants Appointed to serve as El Salvador Professional Combat Sport Commission
Tue, 17 Jun 2025Sasotize teams champion and 1st runner up in 2nd JCI Senate Chess Tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Jun 2025USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team Concluded World Boxing Championship 2025 With Nine Medals
Mon, 16 Jun 2025