Gilas to lean on Pinoys’ fighting spirit

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas embraces its status as heavy underdog in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament on home soil but vows to fight to the finish against the giants of international basketball.

“We have more than any underdog’s chances. We have to go out there ready to take a puncher’s chance against the fighter. That’s what we’ve got to be because we might only get a few swings in the game so we got to swing for the fences,” said Gilas coach Tab Baldwin.

The Pinoy cagers have drawn high-quality rivals in the group play of the July 5-10 OQT. They immediately face an acid test on opening night against world No. 5 France, a major power that might bring in NBA players like San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker, and then take on the 21st-ranked New Zealand the following day.

Baldwin counts on the Filipino fighting spirit to make it a game in this David-versus-Goliath showdown.

“We certainly won’t go out there thinking that we don’t have a chance. We won’t go out there bowing to our opponents. I have no doubt the mentality and attitude of the players will be spot-on at game time.

“None of that is a guarantee of success but I’m sure coach (Vincent) Collet of France isn’t telling his team that they’re guaranteed to beat us, either. They know they’ll be in for a tough game and that’s our job – to go out there and play the best we can. Underdogs win everyday so there’s no reason for us to bow down to our opponents,” he said.

There are talks that Boris Diaw of the Spurs and Nicholas Batum of Charlotte might not play in the OQT to work on a new contract in the NBA but Baldwin believed France isn’t in short supply of manpower and firepower.

“If they come with their full contingent, they’ll be very tough. If they come with, say a watered down lineup, there are players playing for France that none of us know their names today that are exceptional players so it won’t be a weak France, no matter what,” he said.

Baldwin has formed a pool led by Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, June Mar Fajardo and Marc Pingris. Naturalized player Andray Blatche is also set to return for another tour of duty while Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers has expressed his desire to suit up.