I am rather puzzled with the way Gilas Pilipinas is preparing for FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Two months before the tournament, the coaching staff of the Philippine team is still experimenting on who will make up the team. Several of those who played during FIBA Asia were left out during Asia Cup in favor of new players. There are talks that 17 players will be sent to Spain instead of 12. But will sending more players really make a difference ? After all, only 12 players will be allowed to play during the tournament. And will the uncertainty of the team's lineup help build teamwork and familiarity ?
Then there is the much-touted workout with NBA stars. Several known NBA players will play two games against Gilas Pilipinas which will serve as tune-ups for the team. While the intention is there, when has an exhibition/charity game really brought out the true capability of a team ? Surely, all the players will play with caution to prevent injuries. Likewise, the games will more likely be played for show. The games will be played to keep the fans happy than anything else.
Sadly, it is the coaching staff that is making the road to Spain bumpy. Instead of focusing on the essentials, it chooses to highlight irrelevance and drama. It is as if the coaching staff is not aware of how difficult it is for the team to win even just one game in Spain. The situation calls for hard practice and a system that will work well against strong teams like Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Croatia and Senegal. Up to this point, I don't see the coaching staff measuring up to the challenge. And a complete defeat of the team is becoming inevitable.
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