Gilas Pilipinas back home from Fiba Asia stint

Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized center Andray Blatche (left), head coach Tab Baldwin and the rest of the Philippine team arrive at NAIA Monday morning after their silver-medal finish in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship in Changsha, China. Ruel Perez/Radyo Inquirer

Gilas Pilipinas returned home after its silver-medal finish in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship held in Changsha, China.

The Philippine team, headed by head coach Tab Baldwin, naturalized center Andray Blatche and point guard Jayson Castro, arrived in Manila Monday morning.

The Philippines fell short of its goal to earn a slot in the 2016 Rio Olympics after bowing to China, 78-67, on Saturday.

Though Gilas failed to bag the gold medal, the team still did the country proud during its campaign.

The Filipinos opened the tournament with a shocking loss to Palestine but they quickly put that painful experience behind along the way.

One of the highlights of Gilas’ Fiba Asia tilt is its double-digit victory over perennial Asian champion Iran and against the hosts, the Filipinos gave all they could amid a hostile environment and despite not getting the fair shake as far as the officiating is concerned.

Castro was recognized as Asia’s best point guard for the second straight time.