Baldwin targets gold for Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Long before the New Year revelries, new Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin has made known one of his fondest wishes for 2015 – win the gold medal for the country in the FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

Even with Talk n Text moving out of contention for the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Dec. 26, Baldwin spent the rest of the Christmas holidays in the country as the Jacksonville, Florida native has started discussing with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas leadership the process of forming the team.

Baldwin, however, said it’s premature to comment on the timetable and content of the pool as they’re still in the planning stages.

He told The STAR he hasn’t made any decision yet even on the content of the coaching staff.

Asked whether he would invite former Gilas coach Chot Reyes to help him out probably as a consultant, Baldwin insisted there’s no final decision yet, saying: “I still have a lot to learn before I finalize any roles with the team.”

Baldwin joined Gilas Pilipinas and later on Talk n Text as coaching consultant through the invitation of Reyes.

A Gilas old hand that is likely to remain with the group is Jong Uichico.

  Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter and Jayson Castro are the PBA stars likely to be highly considered for the players pool.

Baldwin will be working closely with the SBP nominating and selection committee in drawing the national team program and in forming the pool.

The special committee is chaired by SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas with members PBA commissioner Chito Salud, PBA chair Patrick Gregorio, vice chairman Robert Non and SBP executive director Sonny Barrios.

The same group ran the search process for the new Gilas coach, signed to a four-year contract with the tasks of clinching for the country an Olympic berth in 2016 and a second straight FIBA World Cup stint in 2019.

Baldwin and Gilas vie for that Olympic slot in the 2015 Asian qualifier in Wuhan, China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 3.

Already seeded in that tournament are host and defending champion China, Asia Cup reigning titlist Iran and Gulf qualifiers Bahrain and Qatar.

Still be filled up are four spots from East Asia, three each from West Asia and Southeast Asia and one each from Central Asia and South Asia.

Southeast Asia, the regional zone where the Philippines belongs, has got an additional slot for the coming Asian joust on the strength of Gilas third-place finish in the last Asia Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas is the overwhelming favorite to win the SEABA (Southeast Asian Basketball Association) championship. Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are likely to slug it out for the two other SEABA qualifying berths for the Asian championship.

In the Asian meet, the only target is to win the crown to gain the lone Asian berth to the 2016 Olympics.