Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 20) – After a masterful performance in the final window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, the young Gilas Pilipinas players are now up for a taller task in the FIBA Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin said the national team that will compete in the Belgrade, Serbia Olympic qualifiers will be picked from the young squad who played in the recently concluded continental tournament held in Clark, Pampanga.
"The players that we have here in this bubble are the players that will go to Serbia. We have to leave one or two (players) behind, but the 12 that we select to play will be taken from this group here," Baldwin said after their 82-77 win against South Korea on Sunday.
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The composition of the Gilas roster in the Olympic qualifiers has yet to be finalized, Baldwin added.
The veteran mentor also said they are planning to hold practice sessions in the country before flying out to Serbia.
Baldwin also expressed his hope to have a tune-up game against Asian basketball giant China before the Olympic qualifiers.
"We still have a lot of work to do but I think these young men have earned a day off, so they'll get Monday off. But Tuesday, we'll be back to work," he said.
Gilas swept all of their three games in the continental qualifying tournament's final window, defeating South Korea twice and Indonesia once. The Philippines finished with a perfect 6-0 record to advance in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup slated in Indonesia in late August.
The Olympic Qualification Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia will take place from June 29 to July 4, where Gilas is grouped with the host country and the Dominican Republic in the group matches.
Baldwin: Gilas players in Clark FIBA Asia Cup bubble will comprise Serbia OQT lineup - CNN Philippines
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