The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) was confident enough that the Philippine Men’s Basketball Team, Gilas Pilipinas will have enough time for their buildup in the highly anticipated FIBA Asia Championship in China this year 2015 despite the fact that the organization has yet to announce the final lineup to Changsha, China.
According to SBP although the Gilas Pilipinas got just under two months left before the 2015 FIBA Asia, there’s no need to panic and it’s not too late and the final line-up of the national team are being prepared by head coach Tab Baldwin which could be announce this coming Monday.
The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship will be held this coming September 23 to October 3, 2015 in Changsha, China. The winner of the competition will have an automatic slot in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil for the men’s basketball competition.
During the last FIBA Asia held in the Philippines last 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Philippines finished second behind Asian powerhouse Iran and gained an outright entry to the World Cup Basketball Championships in Spain.
Meanwhile Coach Tab Baldwin has certain players in mind for the Gilas 3.0, but SBP head Sonny Barrios noted that there’s no guarantee that he can get to play for Gilas this time. One of the names who is favored by Baldwin is two-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo who reportedly begged off due to pain on his feet that carries his weight.
Aside from June Mar Fajardo, Gilas veteran Marc Pingris might not e available for the team, as he will attend to family matters by the time the team plunges into training.
