Gilas Pilipinas during one of its practices. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Marc Pingris was in his animated self, Calvin Abueva was all over the floor and June Mar Fajardo held nothing back and rejoined his teammates on the court for the first time this year.
Gilas Pilipinas was in full force and head coach Tab Baldwin was left delighted with what he saw.
“Happy with the turnout and happy with what we got through and what we accomplished,” Baldwin told reporters Monday night after wrapping up practice at Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Ateneo. “They still need a little bit of pushing. They still are months away and the attitude that goes with that is still present but I think that we are making strides. of course I’m happy when we make strides.”
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“It could be better but it is better than it was before. I think that we’re certainly on the upward curve now. I think the players have a good understanding of what we wanna do and they will respond,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin also welcomed the addition two more extra bodies in the pool in youngsters Mac Belo and Roger Pogoy, who followed in the footsteps of their fellow fresh out of college stars Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Ferrer.
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“It’s good to get these young fellas in here. Mac Belo joined us today. Roger Pogoy was here but he got a little bit of injury so these guys will allow the intensity level to be a little bit higher because they allow the players to not only participate, but have the assurance that they can get a break when they need a break,” he said. “All players like to know that they can go hard and they can get a break when they need one and these guys give us that luxury.”
Like Ravena and Ferrer, the Far Eastern University pair hopes to learn as much as it can from the country’s best players.
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But it’s not only them who are looking to improve their basketball knowledge.
“Natututo kami sa kanila and yung pagkabeterano namin shine-share namin sa kanila especially yung maturity and decision-making (We learn from them and as veterans, we share our experiences to them to help their maturity and decision-making). Yun yung maa-advice mo lang sa kanila pero in terms of talent almost the same lang kami (Those are the only things that we can teach them. But in terms of talent, we’re almost the same),” Jayson Castro told INQUIRER.net.
It’s also only a matter of time before Belo and company, who have brought gold medals for the country as part of Gilas Cadets, will have the status of Castro and Fajardo to name a few as among the Philippines’ best.
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“The future and that’s what they’re here for. These are very talented young players. They’ve proven that in the UAAP level and they’re proving that in the D-League level, they will in the future prove it at the PBA level and also internationally. I’m fully confident with that.”