Baldwin stresses familiarity with Lebanese squad

CHANGSHA – Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin is well familiar with Lebanon as he has handled the team, steering the Cedars to a 20th finish out of 24 teams in the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.

Jean Abdelnour and Rodrigue Akl were key Lebanese players from the Turkey joust that are still with the Lebanese quintet here.

The others at Baldwin’s disposal in 2010 were the late naturalized player Jackson Vroman, Ali Mahmoud, Rony Fahed, Elie Rustom, Elie Stephan, Ali Kanaan, Ali Fakhredine, Matt Freija, Ghaleb Rida and Fadi El-Khatib.

Vroman, who would later be a Barangay Ginebra import in the BBA, and Freije both had NBA stints.

Baldwin spent a good period of time in Beirut that he can easily recite what each and every Lebanese player is capable of doing.

The Gilas bench chieftain knows the strengths and weaknesses of the Lebanese.

“They have players who can shoot very well. They’re a good transition team. We know they’ve got a good overall size though they aren’t a big team,” said Baldwin.

“They battle hard. The Lebanese team always battles so you know this is a team that can have a really good game. They can put a real good game together,” Baldwin also said.

Baldwin and the Lebanese stunned Canada, 81-71, before losing to France, 59-86; New Zealand, 76-108; Spain, 57-91, and Lithuania, 66-84, in the 2010 World Cup.

El-Khatib (15.4), Vroman (14.8) and Fahed (11.8) averaged in double figures in the tourney.