Norwood, De Ocampo not surprised with Gilas topping group E

CHANGSHA CITY, China – For a team assembled just less than two months ago and even if some PBA superstars back home elected to hold out for one reason or another, Gilas Pilipinas’ achievement of topping its group in the Fiba Asia Olympic Qualifier should have been a surprise.

But don’t tell that to international veterans Gabe Norwood and Ranidel de Ocampo.

“To be honest, yes,” Norwood told the Inquirer when asked if he wasn’t surprised at all, considering the time frame available and the other talents that should have been here but decided to stay home.

“When you look at the talent we have in our country, you can throw a lot of teams out there and they can come out and come together quickly,” Norwood, coach Tab Baldwin’s chief defender, added.

“Especially when you know what the goal is, the Olympics (slot at stake in the tournament) can come out as a great bonding force.”

The Filipinos routed India on Tuesday for top raking in Group E that gave Gilas the lightest possible assignment in the quarterfinals – Group F No. 4 Lebanon – on Thursday night.

De Ocampo, who has earned a reputation as a hard-nosed enforcer internationally, feels the same way.

“What matters here is commitment of the players that you have in the team,” the 6-foot-5 power forward said in Filipino.

“You can have all the best players (from back home), but if they’re not willing to make the sacrifice for the country, it will be for nothing.”

This batch of Gilas Nationals came together at exactly 8 p.m. on August 3 at Meralco gym in Manila.

The gold medal match in this tournament, where the lone continental berth for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics is the bigger prize, will happen on Oct. 3 at almost the same time.

Wouldn’t that be a great coincidence if the Filipinos go all the way?