MANILA, Philippines - Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan personally feels Gilas Pilipinas is a special bunch that could play all the way to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.
Pangilinan has high hopes coach Tab Baldwin and the team will reach the gold-medal round in the FIBA Asia Championship that he ordered a flight booking and accommodation in Changsha from Sept. 29 up to the final day of competition.
“My expectation is we’ll make the finals,” Pangilinan told a small group of sportswriters at the end of the final practice of Gilas Pilipinas at the Meralco Gym yesterday.
Pangilinan showed up in the session to personally thank the players and their PBA teams for their sacrifice and support to the national team.
“My wish is that the team could make it to Rio which means winning the FIBA qualifying,” said Pangilinan.
The business mogul said one could sense the team has high morale, and he thanked Baldwin for doing a good job in jelling the team together.
He said the team is special with each player committed and dedicated to play for the national team.
“I think they’re mighty proud of playing for the Philippine team and the country. That’s important,” said Pangilinan.
“These guys are enthusiastic. I think that’s worth a lot. They don’t treat it as a job or like they’re persuaded or forced to play for the national team. It’s just because they really wanted. That’s a great factor when we compete in China,” Pangilinan also said.
Pangilinan will be in Changsha in time for the Gilas-Iran duel on Sept. 29.
And he’s staying there all the way to Oct. 3 where he hopes the Philippines vies for the Olympic berth.
“So we’ll be preparing for a bonus for Rio,” said Pangilinan, drawing pretty smiles on the faces of the players during their huddle.