Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin shares his worries of the incomplete line-up of the country’s national basketball team which is heading into crunch time because the time needed in preparation of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July 2016. According to the veteran international coach he and his players have to work on overdrive.
The Gilas Pilipinas squad is still incomplete according to the coaching staff of the team as they are now waiting for the arrival of naturalized player Andray Blatche who has yet to arrive while veteran shooter Jeff Chan from Bacolod City is still recovering from a groin injury.
Coach Tab Baldwin admitted that right now he is anxious as he was quoted “It’s an anxious time when you don’t have all your players,” said Baldwin after their practice at Meralco Gym. “As a coach you’re uncomfortable when you don’t have all the players, it’s an environment that’s not conducive to development.”
Aside from the foreign reinforcement of Gilas Piipinas and the injury of Jeff Chan, a week ago, Gilas pool member was immediately devoid of two players when center Greg Slaughter and wingman Matt Ganuelas-Rosser were cut due to injury. Rain or Shine veteran playmaker Paul Lee was the next to go due to recurring knee problems.
The former head coach of New Zealand basketball team also added that they will have to start learning both offensive and defensive schemes once Andray Blatche joins the team. The foreign reinforcement is expected to arrive this week and join the training.