Gilas force to reckon with in Fiba Asia – Salud

MANILA, Philippines - With a virtual brand-new roster, Gilas Pilipinas could pull off some surprise and improve on its second-place finish in the last FIBA Asia Championship.

PBA president and chief executive officer Chito Salud made the bold prediction in his message delivered during the PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night at the Century Park Sheraton Hotel Wednesday.

“I’m often asked what I think about the absence of sought-out players. I have nothing but gratitude to those who have played, are playing, and will play in the future,” said Salud, opting not to touch on the controversy in the formation of the Gilas pool and the eventual final lineup.

“I want to focus on the silver linings, from giving our opponents the element of surprise to widening our pool in the future,” he said.

At the same time he urged local fans to rally behind coach Tab Baldwin and his team as they pursue the mission to bring the country back in Olympic basketball competition in Rio de Janeiro next year.

“With the Philippines back in the world stage, the PBA will continue supporting Gilas. For us to have more exciting times, it will be key for all of us to stick together, battle through differences, find a common ground, and as what the coaches say ‘keep advancing the ball,’” Salud said.

PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa also delivered a speech in the rites feting 12 individuals that made their marks in PBA Season 40.

Leo Austria and Patrick Gregorio, as the Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, respectively, led the other awardees who included Junmar Fajardo as Defensive Player, Calvin Abueva Mr. Quality Minutes, Paul Lee as winner of the Player of the Week Order of Merit, Terrence Romeo the Scoring Champion and Matt Ganuelas, Stanley Pringle, Jericho Cruz, Jake Pascual and Chris Banchero composing the All-Rookie Team.

Former Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman, currently in town with his new team the Jordan national quintet, has the same opinion as Salud.

Despite all the no-shows in the current Gilas team, Toroman believed Team Phl would make the Top Three in the Changsha meet starting on Wednesday.

“With (Andray) Blatche and the new guys in (Terrence) Romeo and (Calvin) Abueva, for sure, they have a chance for the medal,” he said. “If it will be enough for the championship, we will see.”

Like many other Asian basketball watchers, Toroman pointed to China and Iran as the top favorites.

Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas visited the Blue Water Resort yesterday for more fun activities as part of its building-session and training. On Tuesday, the Nationals were over at the Plantation Bay.

On hard-court training at the Hoops Dome, the Nationals are now focused on five-on-five drills, trying to perfect old plays and variations they will run in the FIBA Asia meet.