Caption: Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin, guard Terrence Romeo, and MelMac Sports CEO Mel Macasaquit during the Gilas Pilipinas pop-up store launch. Joaqui Flores/ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin couldn’t help but still be overwhelmed with the outpouring support the fans are giving the Philippine national team.
And with the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament drawing closer, the stern mentor is elated to have the fans share the team’s colors as Gilas Pilipinas merchandise now go on sale.
“We look at NBA games this time of the year and we look at the stands and we see the whole crowd wearing the same color, and granted that those are given out to the people, but there’s some power in that. The players feel the camaraderie with the fans, and the fact that we’re playing the OQT here in Manila, it’s fantastic to think that we have a brand that is released this early which is as of the quality of this merchandise is, and the fans show their fellowship with the team, join us wear the colors, and wear the gear, and on top of it, the proceeds are being used to support the grassroots of the sport,” he said.
Baldwin and Gilas slasher Terrence Romeo were on hand for a meet-and-greet session on Saturday at SM Aura Premier for the official launch of the Gilas Pilipinas pop-up stores, where fans got an up-close encounter with the national team coach.
“It’s just the power of the brand and all it does is refresh the memory that we have a great responsibility when we pull on the Gilas name,” said Baldwin. “It’s not about the uniform, it’s not even us. It’s about this country of people who identify so closely to the name Gilas and Pilipinas on the shirt and thats a burden of responsibility and it’s a pressure, but we accept it when we perform at this level, and frankly, that’s what we want.”
Fans can buy the merchandise ranging from shirts, jackets, bags, and pillows on pop-up booths in SM Cinema branches across SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia.
There will also be five Gilas Pilipinas booths located inside the Mall of Asia Arena for the duration of the OQT from July 5 to 10.
Robinsons Malls will also sell the merchandise on their department stores across their 40 different outlets.
Part of the proceeds of the sales will be donated to the grassroots program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“It is not our intention to make a profit,” explained MelMac Sports CEO Mel Macasaquit. “The main intention is to expand our passion in basketball. We are just thankful because this is the perfect brand to the market and we want this to be like the (Boston) Red Sox, to be one of the highest-selling and the longest running team-based brand.”
Baldwin, meanwhile, hopes that the fans will unite and don the same colors when Gilas Pilipinas takes the court for the Manila OQT, while also paving the way for the development of youngsters who will eventually aspire to be part of the national team.
“We all recognize that our work over how many years we’re here, it leaves a legacy for somebody,” he said.
“And the fact that we’re doing now helps to contribute to that next group and the next generation of players coming through. It makes us feel good about contributing to this effort, to get our fans wear our colors, wear our logo, wear our brand, and share in our effort, knowing that we’re also contributing to the future.”