FIBA ASIA CUP QUALIFIERS

Strong coaching staff a big factor in Gilas' third window sweep

Gilas Pilipinas, bannered by an all-cadet squad, swept the third and final window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on Sunday.

Gilas head coach and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) program director Tab Baldwin was the first to give credit to his wards who stood their ground against heavyweight opponents, especially with a short period of preparation that came while the country is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baldwin, who has mentored a host of national teams in the past, said he was nothing but jubilant to see a young Gilas squad take three wins, not to mention two from pesky Korean side, in the window.

"Obviously, (I was) overjoyed to take three wins from this window and two against South Korea," Baldwin said during the post-game press conference of the Philippines-Indonesia game.

"I think that’s great credit to this basketball team, these young players."

But while the players get most of the applause and the cheers, Baldwin said hats should also be tipped for the members of the coaching staff, who helped him orchestrate the game plan for all three games.

"But also I want to make sure that everybody acknowledges what a great job our coaching staff did," Baldwin stressed.

The 63-year-old Baldwin receives insight from high-caliber and experienced coaches like former PBA and Gilas coach Jong Uichico, Gilas Pilipinas Youth coach Sandy Arespacochaga, Rain or Shine consultant Caloy Garcia, San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez, and TNT assistant coach Alton Lister.

With them at the helm, Gilas was able to punch its ticket to the continental showpiece slated this August in Indonesia.

"I can’t tell you the support that I get as a coach from this tremendous group of coaches that assist me," Baldwin added.

"I hesitate to call them assistant coaches because I think they’re all head coaches."

The nationals stunned South Korea in their first meeting last Wednesday via a buzzer-beating dagger from SJ Belangel, 81-78, then they followed it with a lopsided victory over the Indonesians last Friday, 76-51.

When the Filipinos locked horns anew with rival South Korea on Sunday, the result was pretty much the same as the host nation walked away with an 82-77 triumph.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News