A two-game sweep by Gilas Pilipinas against Thailand in the second window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers left quite an impression on top officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Although the Philippines was heavily favored against the undermanned Thais, some small concerns on cohesion still floated around for a young Gilas team that only had less than two weeks of training camp before flying to the bubble in Bahrain.
Gilas effectively answered those questions in a pair of dominant outings on Friday and Monday, when a men's team that didn't have a player over 26 years old blew out its counterparts by 28 points.
Dwight Ramos and Justine Baltazar starred in the first matchup for Gilas before Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano stole the show in the second day to help the Philippines climb to first place at 3-0 in Group A.
"They play hard and are willing to learn aside from being such talented individuals," head coach Jong Uichico said in a text message Tuesday. "We knew that they would lack cohesion but they needed to make it up with energy and intensity, which they did."
Thirteen players saw action in varying minutes during the second window for a Gilas team that shot 46.6 percent from the field and 40.6 percent on its threes in two games while holding Thailand to a palty 31.8 percent mark.
"They all were very impressive in the minutes that they were given. More so a great bunch of persons off the court," Uichico added.
SBP president Al Panlilio also extended his congratulations to Uichico, program director Tab Baldwin and the rest of the team for the Bahrain sweep.
"Even with the challenges the situation presented, you gave no excuses and gave us two performances that the entire country is proud of," he said in a statement on Tuesday. "Having young players come together at such a short time and still perform tremendously gives me so much excitement for what the future holds for Philippine basketball.
"You played great team basketball, with sportsmanship, and with poise beyond your years as you showed the best that Philippine basketball has to offer," Panlilio continued. "We're so proud of you."
Gilas will look to keep the momentum rolling in February, when a pair of games are scheduled against Indonesia and South Korea on the 18th and 21st.
Uichico declined to comment when asked about Gilas' plans for the third window.
"I have no answer to that. It will be up to the SBP and Coach Tab on the plans," he said.