Gilas to compete in pocket tournament in Italy

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin gathers his team before wrapping up Monday night’s practice at Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Ateneo. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

It’s another European tour for Gilas Pilipinas.

After holding a training camp in the continent as part of its buildup for the 2015 Fiba Asia Championships, the Nationals will return to Europe in preparation for the 2016 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated this July.

Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin said the team will hold a nine-day training camp in Greece before joining a pocket tournament in Italy and play a tune-up game against Turkey in Istanbul.

The team leaves for Europe on June 10.

The Filipinos will be up against stiff competition as it takes on Canada, Italy and Rio-bound China in just two days.

Canada and Turkey are two teams the Philippines could end up facing in the Manila qualifiers.