Narrow loss to Serbia part of Gilas learning process, says coach Tab Baldwin

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin said that his team's close 83-76 loss to powerhouse Serbia in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament would be part of the learning process for his young squad.

The decorated mentor expressed pride at the fight Gilas put up against a strong Serbian team playing at home.

"Sometimes, particularly with  a young team, the occasion can be a bit bigger than we are but that’s what the learning process is all about," the American-New Zealander tactician said in the post-game press conference.

"I was very proud of the effort today and I know we can play better and we will play better. Certainly, the flow of the game was very competitive and we put in a great effort."

But Baldwin pointed out that they could have come away with the win had they converted on some of their opportunities in the endgame.

The Filipinos looked like they had a shot at an upset over the Serbians, who rank no. 5 in the world.

They tied the game at 67-apiece early in the fourth and even pulled ahead, 74-73,  on an RJ Abarrientos basket with 3:50 remaining.

But the game slipped away as they struggled to convert in the last two minutes, giving Serbia the window to seal the win.

"A lot of people would look at this as some sort of small victory. I’ve been in this game for such a long time, (and) I just don’t believe in those," said Baldwin.

"We had chances late, we missed good open looks and they were really good looks and they would have put Serbia under even more pressure."

Despite the loss, the Filipinos will try to build on the momentum heading to their second game, a crucial Group A matchup against the Dominican Republic on Friday morning.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News