Gilas’ dismal Filoil record part of ‘growing pains,’ says Uichico

Head coach Jong Uichico isn’t worried about Gilas’ 1-4 record in Filoil pre-season tournament.

Coach Jong Uichico isn’t too worried about Gilas Pilipinas’ position in the 2018 Chooks-to-Go Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup even after the team’s 72-78 defeat to University of the Philippines on Tuesday.

The Gilas cadets, prospects for the “23-for-23” team, dropped to 1-4 in the summer tournament and are in danger of missing the quarterfinals.

“We faced three strong teams first. Even now, we were leading but we can’t close the games out, but that’s just part of the growing pains of the young ones playing together and also me learning their strengths and weaknesses,” said the veteran mentor.

READ: UP rallies to shock Gilas Pilipinas in Filoil

The Nationals led by as much as 16 in the third quarter, 50-34, but saw the Fighting Maroons barge into the fourth quarter and steal the win.

Uichico acknowledged that their immaturity got the better of them in the end game.

“Mature teams or teams who have been together will know how to get away from that situation. But we lost by four points with probably five practice days before entering the tournament, generally I’m OK with that,” he said.

READ: Ateneo surprises Gilas cadets in Filoil

He also admitted that he’s still in the process of defining the roles of his ever-changing roster, and he’s taking his time.

“Right now, we don’t know who to go to when we need a basket. We just run the offense and see what shot is available to us at that available time, but if we have a go-to guy, it could’ve been easier.”

“That’s something which you only figure out in practices or in games. Those are the things not learned overnight.”

READ: San Beda sends Gilas Cadets to 0-3 start in Filoil 

Over its past four games, Gilas has drawn solid games from a myriad of options but it has been Juan Gomez de Liaño who has shone the brightest.

On Tuesday, though, the UAAP Season 80 Rookie of the Year was on UP’s side.

Isaac Go, meanwhile, showed glimpses of greatness in Gilas’ 72-63 win over Perpetual but has yet to fully integrate with the squad.

READ: Kobe Paras on Gilas Cadets’ Filoil stint: ‘I’m all for this’ 

With its precarious standing, Gilas must win all its upcoming assignments against National University, University of the East, Emilion Aguinaldo College,  and Mapua to progress to the playoffs.

Uichico, though, said that he won’t lose sleep if his side fails to make it to the next level as he looks at the bigger picture.

“Of course, as much as we want to win and get to the championship, part of the goal of joining Filoil is to try to get to know them also. If we had more practice time which we don’t have the luxury of doing, we could’ve competed better, but it’s just now that I’m finding out our strengths and weaknesses,” he said.

“Eventually, by the time where we get to the more important tournaments, we should know those.”