Baldwin believes Gilas has "fighter's chance" at OQT

Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Despite being the hosts, Gilas is tagged as the heavy underdogs for the FIBA OQT at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on July 5-10.

But Coach Tab Baldwin believes Gilas has what it takes to overcome the odds and earn a spot in the Rio Olympics in August.

"We have a fighter's chance [to win the OQT]. It's hard to get there, and we're happy and proud that we're there," Baldwin told a group of media men after their practice on Monday night at the Moro Lorenzo Gym inside the Ateneo campus.

Gilas is part of a tough three-team group that also consists of France and New Zealand. Gilas will first face France on July 5 before battling New Zealand the night after.

The other group that will play in the Pasay OQT is equally compelling as Canada, Senegal, and Turkey are grouped together.

The top two teams from each group after the prelims will face off in the knockout semifinals with the winners going at it for the right to join nine outright qualifiers and the OQT winners in Turin and Belgrade in Brazil.

"We're not gonna move out of the way and stand in their way to lose. We'll take our chance and play as hard as we can," Baldwin vowed.

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