Baldwin plans to bring back ex-Gilas cadets for FIBA Asia’s next round

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After a splendid 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at Angeles, Pampanga, head coach Tab Baldwin confirmed that they might call up past players from their pool to strengthen the lineup.

The Gilas Pilipinas program is expecting Matt Nieto, Rey Suerte, and Dave Ildefonso to be back in the lineup after missing the recently concluded bubble due to their respective injuries.

Aside from them, leftie sharpshooter Allyn Bulanadi is also expected to be in the lineup after reports of positive results from his shoulder rehab.

“I don’t know exactly who’s going to be available to bring in, but you know, I think it’s time to give everybody that figures in our 2023 plans the chance,” said Baldwin.

Former members in the Manama bubble who helped the Philippines sweep their stint, Kobe Paras, Juan Gomez de Liaño, and Kemark Carino, are also being eyed by coach Baldwin for the next round of the FIBA tourney.

“I would like to get at least three weeks of intensive training. And I’m a little bit worried about how long the break will be for the players in terms of inactivity. So we have to, you know, maybe not have team activity, but we might have some other activities,” Baldwin added.

The young Gilas boys are currently preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Belgrade, Serbia and will take on powerhouses Dominican Republic and the host country.

Off a stellar outing in the FIBA Asia Qualifiers, the young boys wearing the white and blue are looking to ride on their momentum and do the unthinkable once again.