Tab Baldwin keenly observes Gilas during one of the team’s practices at Meralco Gym. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
TAIPEI – Six games into the Jones Cup and just over two weeks before Gilas Pilipinas plays in the tournament to which it was built for, coach Tab Baldwin has a firm idea on who his Final 12 will be, but will not reveal it anytime soon.
“Yeah, I do, but it’s not for public consumption right now,” Baldwin told reporters shortly after breaking up morning practice on Saturday to prepare for their crucial clash with the United States at Xinzhuang gymnasium here.
“Maybe we’ll just tell Fiba and not announce it (in the Philippines),” he said. “We will do what we want to do for what’s best for the team. I’m not in a hurry to make any splash announcements. There’s no need, no need (for the announcement).”
Baldwin will be making four cuts and gave one away – Moala Tautuaa.
“We know that Mo is out as long as Andray is in (the lineup),” Baldwin said. “That’s all I’m going to say right now.”
Tautuaa, selected by Talk ‘N Text first overall in the last PBA Draft, can only play in Fiba-sanctioned tournaments as a naturalized citizen. He will be eligible for the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games that don’t require Fiba authority.
“We want to keep this group together and keep them working,” explained the coach on the reason why he doesn’t want to make the cuts public until before tournament day if possible.
“We’ll have to cut four of these guys and that’s going to be tough.”
A fifth cut could happen if Jordan Clarkson, the Los Angeles Lakers’ point guard in the NBA who is half-Filipino, gets the green light from the Fiba to play.
Clarkson’s case has been elevated to Fiba and Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas vice-chair Ricky Vargas went to the United States to personally talk to the Lakers.
The international basketball federation had required each country to submit an initial list of players in their respective national pools but would want a final roster submitted by Sept. 8.
Changes can be made in case of injuries but fines will be paid for those changes.
“I’m not going to pay anything (if changes are made),” Baldwin said with a smile.