Gilas Pilipinas now back home but ‘journey has yet to end’

Gilas Pilipinas on Monday returned to the country after its silver medal finish at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China but one of the team's veterans indicated that the team's journey has just begun.

"Alam [ni coach Tab Baldwin] na hindi pa nagtatapos ang journey ng Gilas natin," forward Marc Pingris told radio dzBB hours after the team arrived from China.

The team, headed by head coach Tab Baldwin, Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive Sonny Barrios, was welcomed warmly by fellow Filipinos upon their arrival in Manila on Monday morning.

Despite the apparent exhaustion from the tournament, the players of the team were undeniably happy because of the overwhelming support they have received from the beginning until the end.

“I think, after the game, I didn't feel proud. I didn't feel like we really accomplished much but when you feel the love and the support and the passion, you'd know that you did something right. We work hard, but there are always improvements to make," Baldwin said.

After their second place finish, Gilas is now qualified to compete in the wild card Olympic qualifying tournament next year. 

Right now, the players and the coaches would want to savor the win from the 2-week tourney instead of focusing on their next steps.

“Nagpapasalamat kami. Napakasaya namin na talagang nandito sila at sinalubong kami. Para sa kanila naman lahat ng game namin so very proud talaga ako na naging Pilipino ako,” Pingris said. —Bianca Rose Dabu/NB, GMA News



LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcIzED9SHIs