Gilas starts closed-door workout

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin has ordered a closed-door practice session starting today to stop the uploading of videos on social media as they step up their buildup with a little over a month to go to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated July 5-10 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City

“Now that we’ve got our team together, it’s time now to start restricting the flow of information from our practices. It’s always going to happen and that time has arrived now,” said Baldwin after their practice yesterday morning at the Meralco Gym.

Baldwin’s concern was videos being uploaded on social media by fans and even media who were previously allowed freely in practice venues by the team.

“A lot of videos on pieces of our practices are showing up on Twitter. It cannot happen whether they come from the media or whether they come from those sitting at the stands,” Baldwin pointed out.

“It’s not an antagonistic situation. It’s a reality situation that people sitting there can have their phones out and start taking videos. We don’t want all those clips showing up,” Baldwin added.

Gilas actually had its first practice held in closed doors at the Kerry’s Gym in Shangri-La at the Fort shortly after the unveiling of the Nike apparel Team Phl will be wearing in the Manila OQT.

In their buildup for the FIBA Asia Championship last year, the Nationals trained in seclusion for a few days in Cebu.

But in appreciation of the care and support of the fans, Baldwin said they would open up one or two practice sessions for the public to see the Nationals work out and prepare for the tough task at hand.

“It may not be a system practice but more of a shooting practice,” Baldwin said.

“I hope everyone understands and takes into consideration our position. We’re trying to build a team that’s going to be successful in representing the country and we will do that intelligently,” Baldwin added.

Blatche had his full practice session with the team yesterday, a three-hour workout also attended by Raymond Almazan.

With unavailability of Paul Lee, the Rain or Shine management instead offered the services of Almazan, and Baldwin grabbed the opportunity to have an additional warm body in their practices.

Almazan will only help out in practices as he can no longer be considered for the Final 12 as he’s not included in the 24-man list submitted by SBP to FIBA.