Gilas leaves for Euro training

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Gilas Pilipinas training pool  are holding one final practice session this morning  before they pack their bags for a possible red-eye flight to Estonia where they go through initial tests in their buildup for the coming FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.

They will be in the Baltic republic west of Russia at least three days before the start of their pocket competition versus three European teams if they secure Schengen visas from the Norway embassy today.

If not, the Gilas contingent leaves the next day, still having enough time to make the Estonian event where the Filipinos will be up against the Icelanders, the Dutch and the home team.

Uncertain is whether Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo will be issued visas at the same time with the group. The two Gilas newcomers applied for visa just Friday afternoon as the former needed to renew his passport first while the latter has just been released from a hospital confinement due to a viral infection.

The Gilas coaching staff is hopeful the two players can make it so that they can maximize their Estonian trip where they get their first taste of real action since opening their training camp on Aug. 3.

Coach Tab Baldwin said their mission in Estonia is not to win games but to build chemistry, get in synch and step forward.

“At this stage, we need our mind more than our heart. And that might mean we might not play our best, but I’m okay with that for as long as we improve and grow,” said Baldwin.

“These games in Estonia might not be very pretty, but the big thing for me is to make progress,” Baldwin insisted.

Estonia, Iceland and the Netherlands are all ranked way behind the Philippines in FIBA World Ranking but are expected to provide tough tests with their height and heft.

Pressed for time to secure visas, Gilas opted just to play in Estonia, and junked its supposed training camp in Turkey.

Counting eight games to be played in the Jones Cup and three matches in the MVP Cup against Jordan, Chinese Taipei and the Wellington Saints of New Zealand, Gilas Pilipinas has a total of 14 matches lined up in its preparation for the Asian meet that doubles as the regional qualifier for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year.

With Junmar Fajardo, Marc Pingris and LA Tenorio opting out,  Baldwin has, at his disposal, only Andray Blatche, Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss, Aldrech Ramos, Dondon Hontiveros, JC Intal, Gary David, Jayson Castro, Matt Ganuelas, Gabe Norwood, Jimmy Alapag, Troy Rosario, Abueva, Romeo and practice player Moala Tautuaa.

De Ocampo is flying with the team to Estonia. He’s yet to join a Gilas practice due to a hamstring injury despite reporting regularly for practice. 

Blatche, De Ocampo, David, Castro, Norwood and Alapag are the only ones left from the Gilas team to the 2014 World Cup.

With all the withdrawals and injuries, the pool is cramming in training.

“They’re going to stretch themselves out and play full steam ahead, but actually I’m going to want to rein them in a little bit, because we want to be efficient,” said Baldwin.