Team Pilipinas: Moving on to the next level

The FIBA-Asia has ended. China already gained a spot for the London Olympics, while Jordan and Korea will move to the next wild card phase round to face the other teams from Europe and America. The Smart Gilas earned fourth place and it is one of the best finishes made by our National Team for years.

So, what is the next move of the SBP? The best thing is to move on to the next level.
The system of Coach Rajko Toroman is one of the best systems ever applied to a National Team (but still I would prefer the style of Jaworksi when he handled the 1990 RP Team) but as we observed in the recent tournament, the rotation of the players is very predictable for the opposing team. Obviously, Marcus Douthit will be the center of our offense, and other than him, only Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams is capable of scoring for the team. Lutz and Lassiter is the main defensive weapon of the team and scoring for the team is their second priority. Asi Taulava is not the Asi we used to see in the past international scene, maybe old age is catching him up. Japeth Aguilar is not a major factor for the team because Rajko won’t allow him to play especially in close games. And one of the major problems for the team is the lack of shooter (opposing teams might be thankful because Allan Caidic is already retired).

Now what will be the next step for the National Team? The next FIBA-Asia is on 2013, and we still have 3 more years to prepare for the next battle. Here are some key points to consider in building up the next National Team:

1. Search for another “Marcus Douthit”

By 2013, Marcus will be 33 years old. He might be slow down by injuries and old age might catch him up. It’s better for us to find a replacement in the age bracket of 23 – 27 years old.

2. Proper training for our “BIGS”

We have Junmar Fajardo, Gian Chiu, Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar as our big men to be inserted in the new NT lineup. Proper training will be a good move for them and we will be able to match the “towers” of other teams.

3. Good selection of players

I admire the inclusion of Lutz and Lassiter in the Gilas team because they provide the intense defensive attacks to the other teams. I hope in the next lineup Lutz and Lassiter might be included again.

Other notable names for the next NT are Kiefer Ravena (much improved version of Chris Tiu), Ray Parks,Calvin Abueva, Aldrech Ramos, Fil-Ams Stanley Pringle (very versatile player), Chris Banchero, Keith Jansen and Stanhardinger (6-8 Fil-German).

in 2013, the hopes are high again and the support for the NT will keep on flowing.

Mabuhay ang Team Pilipinas!