Baldwin wants Gilas to take 1st round seriously

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas may be taking lighter opponents in Group B to open its 2015 Fiba-Asia men's championships in China, but national coach Tab Baldwin expects the players to take every game seriously.

"We have some games (in the opening round) that we feel are important for us to obviously win those games and take those opponents seriously," Baldwin told sports scribes after Gilas' practice on Sunday at the Meralco gym.

The 57-year-old Gilas coach explained that each game in the initial round serves as a buildup in some ways before facing defending champion Iran in the second round, along with other Asian powerhouse squads as they go deep in the tournament.

"Those games should also prepare us for the later rounds as we play the top teams in Asia," he added.

Gilas kicks off its Fiba-Asia campaign against Palestine on Wednesday, followed by Hong Kong, before closing the first round against Kuwait on Friday.

Though the first three opponents are not known basketball countries, Baldwin has cautioned the players from complacency, noting that all their first round opponents are out to improve their rankings in Asia.

"We play each game on its merits," he said.

"We don't try to say that the pool looks like this but each team will be different from the other and we know that those teams are trying to improve their rankings also," added Baldwin, who, just four years ago, guided the Jordan national team to a silver medal finish in the Fiba-Asia joust in Wuhan, China.

The American-Kiwi coach also noted that naturalized player Andray Blatche is a lot better condition-wise after spending the last five days with the team in training camp in Cebu.

"And ray's getting better and better, and that happens when you work hard," explained Baldwin.

"He's a valuable member of the team, a valuable member in terms of personality, in terms of the character that he has and what he gives us apart from his basketball skills," he added.

Gilas is set to leave for China on Monday morning.

The national team is gunning for no less than the Asian championship in order to book a ticket to next year's Rio Olympics.