Gilas Pilipinas has called newcomers to the camp that included Carl Tamayo of UP, RJ Abarrientos of FEU, and Ateneo’s LeBron Lopez, SJ Belangel, Gian Mamuyac, Troy Mallillin, Geo Chiu, Kyle Ong, Jason Credo, and Josh Lazaro.

The national team pool is also joined by PBA special draftees Jordan Heading, Tzaddy Rangel, William Navarro, and Jaydee Tungcab from the 2021 class, and Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, and Rey Suerte of the 2019 batch.

Moreover, key holdovers De La Salle’s Justine Baltazar, Ateneo’s Dwight Ramos, and Dave Ildefonso, naturalized player candidate Ange Kouame are also training in the bubble.

According to Baldwin, this group of players is the “youngest Gilas group ever assembled.”

“Everybody that we brought in here, I believe is, in some way a prospect for Gilas in the future. If they fulfill their potential, if they work to become the player that they are promising to be,” he added.

Gilas Pilipinas is faced with a challenging task as they will be competing in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia to book a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics.

Also, they are also getting ready for the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga.

Given that the national team pool is training for the upcoming competitions scheduled in June, Baldwin also noted that they have also started the process of teaching the young players to have a grasp of the international game and what level of skills and intensity is needed.

“So, if we can begin the process of teaching these younger players, what that is all about, that really helps us in the future, not have to deal with sort of elevating the level of intensity and the level of understanding of our players when they come in the future,” the SBP Program Director said. 

“We’re trying to kill a lot of birds with just this one bubble stone, if I will, if you will. And, so far, so good,” he added.