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:
Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Team USA Captures Two Wins on Day Three of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sun, 07 Sep 2025McCormack Stops Parra in 9
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Monika Singh Makes History as India's Newest Youth World Champion
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Who is Nico Walsh?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Kelvin Watts Highlights Day Two of World Boxing Championships for Team USA
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina
Sat, 06 Sep 2025WEIGHTS FROM LOS MOCHIS: Eduardo Nuñez - 130 Lbs., Christopher Diaz - 129.6 Lbs.
Sat, 06 Sep 2025“THE HOMECOMING” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
Sat, 06 Sep 2025‘SUGAR’ NUNEZ VS. ‘PITUFO’ DIAZ – PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Sat, 06 Sep 2025SUNDERLAND: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 06 Sep 2025USA Boxing Nabs Perfect Outing on Day One of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sat, 06 Sep 2025Kelvin Watts Charged Up for 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sat, 06 Sep 2025Legendary German Trainer Michael Timm Dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 06 Sep 2025