Baldwin eyes Abando, Nonoy on Gilas expanded pool

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) program director Tab Baldwin looks to add familiar faces like collegiate stars Mark Nonoy and Rhenz Abando to the expanded Gilas Pilipinas cadet pool.

Baldwin said that the plan of expanding more talents in the national team will be discussed by the coaches after the third window of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in Clark.

“We will be looking to expand the pool anyway, so I’m looking at the players like Mark Nonoy and Rhenz Abando as well. You know, expanding, bringing in more talent in as long as players are available,” Baldwin said om Zoom In.

“I love their speed and athleticism.”

Baldwin, who serves as the head coach for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, saw Nonoy and Abando held their own against his team back when the duo were still playing for University of Santo Tomas.

Since then, the two went their separate ways with Nonoy joining La Salle while Abando transferring to Letran.

Although Baldwin has a bit of a reservation for Nonoy due to his 5-foot-9 frame, Abando was a different case for the Kiwi-American mentor.

“Mark at the point is small. But just watching him play, talking to the other coaches and thinking about him more and more, he’s a kid that seems to overcome the limitations of his size. Defensively, there’s going to be real challenges for him, and we’re seeing the same thing with RJ Abarrientos and SJ Belangel.”

“For Rhenz Abando, he’s just a kid that can really shoot the ball. He’s a tremendous athlete and he shows that he can play in big moments.”

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Source: Fast Break