Caidic to Gilas: Give attention to shooting

MANILA, Philippines — Legendary gunner Allan Caidic said the Gilas Pilipinas cadet program for 2023 is a step in the right direction but batted for more focus on developing the prospects’ shooting skills.

Caidic, a fixture of the national team during his days, said forming a Gilas core early is the way to go if the country wants a cohesive side by the next FIBA World Cup.

“If we’re looking at 2023, tama yun, i-form mo na yung team,” Caidic said during the Filoil Flying V Sports and Blackwater Elite “In the Spotlight” webinar Wednesday.

“Kasi kung pa-ano-ano lang tayo, kukuha PBA, hindi siya talagang complete, mahirap maging consistent sa ganong sistema,” he added.

“The Triggerman” himself is a product of a specialized national team program in the 1980s. Their NCC team under Ron Jacobs won the Asian Championship in 1986.

“It’s almost the same sa ginawa natin dati. Kukuha sila ng foreign coach, tapos meron silang prospects na naturalized player, tapos yung mga bata,” he said.

He said the more experienced PBA mainstays will provide leadership to the youthful core led by Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto and Thirdy Ravena in the next years, but eventually by 2023, it will be the young ones to carry the torch.

With shooting now an important aspect of the international game, Caidic said it’s time it’s given proper attention.

“Kailangang mag-exert na rin tayo ng extra program for that,” said Caidic, suggesting that the program starts with the Gilas cadets or even down to the Batang Gilas youth teams.

Caidic, the PBA record holder in most points scored by a local in a game (79 markers spiked by 17 triples) who’s just as feared in international play, said he’s open to serve as mentor.

“I’m more than willing to help kasi nasasaktan din ako pag nakikita kong Philippines 3 of 30 sa three-points, nakaka-frustrate, di ba? Siguro yun ang isang dapat bigyang pansin,” said Caidic, who actually already mentored the Nieto twins.

During his playing years, Caidic said he made extra shooting drills regularly, taking as many as 300 to 400 shots from the corner, wing, top and back.

“For you to be consistent sa shooting, you have to work for it; practice from close range moving farther,” he said.