PBA legend and Philippine Sports Commission official Ramon Fernandez has urged the public to respect coach Tab Baldwin’s decision regarding the selection of players for the Gilas Pilipinas squad.

Fernandez, nicknamed as the PBA's "El Presidente," said it is Baldwin’s job to choose the players who will fit into his system, amid the kind of teams they will have to face in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

“You have to give it to the coach kasi he has the game plan that he feels ‘yung 12 na ‘to ang magagamit niya, which is effective," said Fernandez in Reuben Terrado’s report to Spin.ph.

Making up the Gilas Final 12 are Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Ranidel De Ocampo, Japeth Aguilar, Marc Pingris, Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, Ray Parks, and Jeff Chan.

Left out of the team are LA Tenorio and Calvin Abueva. Abueva’s omission from the squad triggered an uproar among hardcore basketball fans.

But Fernandez believe fans shouldn’t overreact. "I think that’s a pretty good team,” he said.

The former Purefoods and San Miguel star, however, admitted that the national team has a tough task to take on in the OQT.

Gilas will face France before tackling New Zealand. If they make it, they will go up against the winner from Group A which includes Turkey.

The survivor of the qualifier will get a ticket to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.

"It’s going to be a tough job definitely," Fernandez said.

"I wouldn’t want to raise my expectations so much. But definitely, I’m hoping and praying for the team that they make it, of course."

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