Gilas Pilipinas may have ended the pocket tournament in Tallinn, Estonia without any victory but the Nationals are not coming away empty-handed as they got valuable lessons which they can use to further improve, according to head coach Chot Reyes.

Gilas Pilipinas got valuable lessons in the two tune-up games it has played so far. ( Photo credit: Marita Brigitta Mones/Estonian Basketball Association)

The Nationals did hold their own against Finland and Estonia in the friendlies but the close losses allowed the coaches to pinpoint two glaring weaknesses of the team so far – rebounding and slow starts.

On both occasions, Gilas fell behind early, a 22-point deficit against Estonia and an 18-point disadvantage against Finland. Gilas tried to climb back from the deep holes but eventually ran out of steam in the endgame.

The team lost by 10 against Estonia, 81-71, and only by four against the higher-ranked Finland, 89-85.

Reyes said the players have yet to familiarize the pace of a FIBA game.

“It's really just a matter of getting used to the FIBA pace. We're still on PBA starting pace, that's why these games are very valuable,” said Reyes in the post-game interview posted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“We can show it on video. We can explain it all we want but unless they experience it and feel how hard these teams start from the get go then (we get our own pace.) That's why in both games after the poor starts, when we had the chance to settle down and get into our own rhythm then we were fine,” explained the veteran mentor.

Reyes also pointed out the disparity in rebounding between Gilas and its opponents – an issue the team will continuously face even in the World Cup since it is expected to face a lot of taller teams.

Aside from that, Gilas also needed to get itself accustomed to dealing with the full-court pressure which a lot of teams in the international stage employ.

“I'm just so happy that the two teams that we played so far, really pressed us end to end, the whole 94 feet, they were pressing us from start to finish,” said Reyes.

“The players never got that kind of pressure in the PBA or Japan or Korea, that kind of sustained all the way kind of pressure. No matter what we do, we cannot simulate that in practice. That's why we are playing these games for the learning that they are getting handling that kind of pressure and  being able to pressure right back,” he furthered.

Despite the losses, Reyes said the Estonia camp was a step towards the right direction for Gilas which is also looking to achieve their peak in time for the tournament.

“We are happy about our effort. It's not perfect, still a lot of room for improvement but I think it's a very good first step,” said Reyes.