Jordan Heading said any player who will be added to the Gilas Pilipinas roster for next month’s FIBA Asia Cup will have to be in sync with the system of coach Tab Baldwin.
There has been a continuing debate as to whether Gilas needs to make changes from the roster that put up a gallant stand in their failed semifinal bid in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament with the continental tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia next on the calendar.
But Heading, one of the most consistent performers in the OQT, told CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk that it is key that if PBA players or otherwise might reinforce Gilas for the FIBA Asia Cup can quickly adhere and familiarize to what Baldwin wants to preach.
“I think just as Coach Tab says the biggest thing is whether the pro guys are coming just that preparation is key,” Heading said while he and the rest of Gilas are under quarantine upon returning from their OQT stint in Belgrade, Serbia.
“I don’t think it would be smart to have guys come in who aren’t familiar with the system and you haven’t had time to jell with the guys. So I think that’s the most important that we have guys who can come in and dedicate themselves to the system and play within their roles,” he added.
It was the same mindset that allowed Gilas to sweep the final three games of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Pampanga, pushing Serbia to the limit before losing 83-76 in the OQT opener and holding a halftime lead over Dominican Republic only to fall 94-67.
“I think that’s the biggest thing about this team is that we don’t have any deadset superstars,” Heading said. “We just have 12 guys who are there doing their jobs and doing their roles and playing their hearts out.
“So you know whoever comes in they just need to know you gotta play your role and you gotta do your job that coach Tab and the rest of the coaching staff is asking you to do, and you absolutely have to play your hearts out and play for flag and country.”
Heading was impressive during the two OQT matches, posting 14.5 points with a 73-percent shooting from three-point land.
As a whole, the former member of the national U-16 team in 2011 said the fearless attitude of Gilas is what impressed him the most during the two stints.
“I think a lot of people can make a lot of excuses for us that we’re young, we’re inexperienced,” he said. “A lot of these guys haven’t played in college yet andI’ve been really impressed whether it's in practice or obviously in these games that they are not scared about going up against these big name guys or even guys with bigger bodies than them.
“There’s really a no-fear mentality that we play with, and we fully trust the system that we’ve been working out, and we're gonna continue to get better as we continue to perfect this system,” Heading added.