Gilas Pilipinas members with SBP head Manny V. Pangilinan. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Gilas Pilipinas is set to leave the country for its European trip as its buildup for the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament hits homestretch.
And from head coach Tab Baldwin to veteran forward Marc Pingris, speaking on behalf of the players, the team made sure to thank everyone at home for all the support it’s been getting since day one.
“Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa support niyo sana po itong pag-alis namin ipag-pray niyo dahil itong paglalaro namin sa Gilas, hindi po ito para sa amin, para sa bansa po ito. Yung prayers niyo, ito lang po mababaon namin,” Pingris said during the team’s sendoff dinner at Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Cubao.
Baldwin gave special thanks to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, who pulled the strings to bring the hosting of the qualifiers here.
Gilas heads to Greece on Friday to begin its three-week training camp in Europe which includes stops in Turkey and Italy where the team will be participating in a pocket tournament.
The team won’t be back until the end of the month, just days before it plays heavyweight France on July 5 at the start of the Olympic qualifiers.
“Keep us in your thoughts, in your prayers and in your hearts,” said Baldwin in a message to the Filipinos.
The announcement of the final 14-man lineup will be made late Wednesday night after Gilas’ tuneup game against Iran.