Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
GILAS Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin said the members of his 14-man National pool have “been good students of the game” as they wind up their back-breaking training camp Monday in Kapernisi, Greece.
“The guys have been good students of the game at this point,” Baldwin tweeted Sunday on his account @iHob1111, praising the Nationals who spent Father’s Day away from family to continue preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, set July 5 to 10, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Action in the paint! Intense at practice!” tweeted team manager Butch Antonio on his account, @BAAantonio.
The Nationals proceed to Istanbul Monday to play the Turkish national squad.
Gilas left the country on June 10 for the meat of its preparations for the OQT, where the Filipinos will be gunning for the title and a berth in the Rio Olympics’ main draw in August.
“Gilas boys impressive in practice,” Baldwin had said in an earlier tweet. “Focus and attention (are) on point.”
The exhibition game in Istanbul is the first of two matches that Gilas will play against Turkey, which is also vying in the qualifier.
They potentially can lock horns for the third time during the Olympic qualifier as the Philippines and Turkey belong to separate groups and could wind up clashing for title-game slots.
Gilas opens up against Tony Parker and France on July 5 before clashing with New Zealand the next day. The Filipinos need at least one victory to make the semifinals.