Estonia-bound Gilas pulls through despite injuries

Coach Tab Baldwin shares a light moment with naturalized player Andray Blatche. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

Though suffering a number of injuries to its key guys, Gilas Pilipinas’ Estonia trip is already a go.

Coach Tab Baldwin expressed his faith that his hobbled guys will be ready once the team departs on Monday.

READ: Baldwin says Gilas ‘way behind’ in preparations

Absent for four days since going down due to a viral infection, Terrence Romeo is expected to return on Monday and join the team for the trip.

“He’s better now, but he has no strength at all. He’ll comeback on Monday and he’ll be with us on Monday. It’s good to have him back,” Baldwin said.

The same goes with Dondon Hontiveros, who was already in game shape on Friday.

Andray Blatche is also making strides in his recovery from an inflamed prostate, actively joining the team in the drills.

READ: Blatche held out of Gilas practice due to injury

“He’s feeling better. He’s positive. We’re hoping for the quickest recovery as possible and get a complete participation from him as we can get because that’s how he’ll get himself in shape,” Baldwin said of the naturalized player. “We saw him participate more. He got up, got some good workout in the day, so the pounds will be coming off.”

Baldwin is also confident of Blatche’s approach to the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship buildup, saying, “He’s a smart player. I’m not too worried about his execution. He’s here everyday. We’ll keep the kid gloves on for a little bit longer with him and work him in shape.”

The question mark, however, is on Ranidel de Ocampo, who is still nursing his injured hamstring.

“We have to make a decision about Del. He hasn’t had any practice yet and he’s not ready to go. Whether we put him on a flight or if he doesn’t get much feeling in that kind of environment, that would sacrifice what we have worked with the system while we’re away,” he said. “We have to make a decision on whether we would sacrifice that, because if he can heal a little bit better or whether we can take him with us so he can keep up with the learning of the system.”

If de Ocampo does miss the Estonia trip, it further trims Baldwin’s pool to just 15, including Moala Tautuaa who is a prospective reinforcement just in case Blatche does not live up to par of the coach’s standards.IDL