Coach Tab Baldwin confirmed he had invited Thirdy Ravena to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the FIBA Asia Cup but stressed that the Japan-based cager’s inclusion to the 12-man roster is no slam dunk.
Baldwin said in the Power and Play program of former PBA commissioner Noli Eala that Ravena, like everyone else, will have to earn their stripes in order to gain the nod of the coaching staff for next month’s continental competition in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Everybody needs to understand that there’s not any given here,” Baldwin said. “Thirdy is invited to be part of the pool, he’s not invited to be on the 12-man roster.”
Gilas is hoping to hold a training bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna on July 20, with Matt Nieto, Rey Suerte, Kemark Carino, Allyn Bulanadi and LeBron Lopez also getting an invitation to take part in the Asia Cup buildup.
Nieto, Suerte and Bulanadi were dealing with injuries, Lopez was the final cut in the roster of the recent FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament while Carino has participated in past training bubbles.
“All of these guys will be back in as well, and they’re invited into the pool,” said Baldwin. “But there’s no guaranteed spot, same as the 12 that went to Serbia.”
Having Ravena, who had an injury-riddle rookie campaign with the San-En Neophoenix of Japan’s B.League, has created a bit of excitement since his addition can bolster Gilas’ bid to make another impression in the Asia Cup slated mid-August in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Baldwin, also the Gilas program director, said other details are being finalized before Ravena can take part in the pool.
“There are discussions going on with SBP representation right now,” he said. “These guys right now have to figure out exactly what’s going on between the SBP time commitment and their professional contracts commitments.
“I don’t think any of that is finalized, but we’re hopeful that it will be finalized for the next several days so I’m hoping for a positive outcome there and I’m hoping for Thirdy to get into camp.”