PBA - RP Team in 2013

It’s been a week after the FIBA-Asia had ended, but the preparation for the next FIBA Asia qualifier is now getting attention on every corner of Philippine basketball world.
We already heard MVP that he will continue supporting the National Team even if it takes forever. We also heard that PBA is open to help the SBP in its quest for another run just to qualify for the next Olympics in 2014.

But yesterday, in the AKTV website, an article posted there that PBA will lend 16 players for the RP National Team for the FIBA championship. In this very moment that the Smart Gilas earned 4th place finish in the recent FIBA in Wuhan, Commissioner Salud is now open to lend his 16 players for the next FIBA qualifier. Why Mr. Salud? After you dumped the request of Toroman to borrow some of your players (except MVP teams) to play for the flag, you are now willing to lend 16 players?

One of the factors (I think) that Salud agreed to have a 16 man pool for the RP team in 2013 is because he wants to prove that PBA players is a lot capable of earning a spot for the 2014 Olympics, that he can surpass what Smart Gilas achieved in the last 3 years.

However, I’m still not in favor of creating an all PBA RP team because of the following reasons: 1. Because of the three conference format in the PBA right now, the training of the players might be affected because of the rigid schedule of the PBA; 2. I think some of our players who might be chosen to represent the country won’t “play their best” because of some injuries they might experience in the long run and their “fat contract” will be at stake; 3. If this will be a all PBA RP Team, what will happen to the system installed by Toroman to the old Gilas team? For sure they will go back to zero again, chemistry and familiarity will suffer and the worst, Toroman won’t be their coach anymore; and lastly, how will the team owners react when their star players will be loaned to the RP Team?

It is ok for the PBA to help the National Team for its bid to qualify for the 2014 Olympics, but an all PBA team is a no-no for this time. We have already seen the improvement of our Gilas core in Wuhan. The only thing that the PBA will do is to “fix” the flaw in the system and not to ruin it.

I believe that the best formula for the 2013 FIBA Asia is: Old Gilas Core + PBA players + Amateur players + Douthit. Simple formula to success.

Team Pilipinas - PBA Version

While the PBA is on vacation, the hottest basketball game today is the FIBA- Asia, where our very own Smart – Gilas is on a roll to victory after defeating the power-house teams of Japan, Jordan and Syria. Failed to win against China, our goal to qualify for the next round is still possible. With Marcus Douthit and the rest of the Gilas team, we are assured that they are one of the best National Team ever assembled.

But wait, long before the Smart Gilas was formed, the PBA is also responsible for sending our players to the international basketball scene. I think the last PBA-RP team pool was headed by Coach Yeng Guiao.

Now, what if the PBA is asked to form a separate RP team? How will the selection be made? Who will handle the team?

If I will be given the chance to select the PBA RP-Team today, here is my list:

1. I will create a 14 man team, including one naturalized player.
2. I will not include players in the current roster in the Gilas team since it is a separate team.
3. The line-up will be composed of 3 Centers, 4 Forwards, 4 Shooting Guards and 3 Point Guards.
4. I will select Chris Alexander as our naturalized player.
5. For the Center Slot, I will select Sonny Thoss of Alaska, Noy Baclao of Petron and Alexander.
6. For the Forward Slot, I will select Arwind Santos of Petron, Sean Anthony of Powerade, Marc Pingris of BMEG and Harvey Carey of Talk N Text.
7. For the Shooting Guard Slot, I will select James Yap of BMEG, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Cyrus Baguio of Alaska and Gary David of Powerade.
8. For the Point Guard Slot, I will select Jason Castro and Ryan Reyes of Talk N Text and Sol Mercado of Meralco.

My Starting Five:

C - Chris Alexander
PF – Arwind Santos
SF – Sean Anthony
SG – James Yap
PG – Jason Castro

This is a fast and defense-oriented line-up. We must admit that our team is very small compared to China and other countries, that’s why I chose Chris Alexander to reinforce the team.

I think this is the best RP Team selection that the PBA has to offer where the defense is the main ingredient of the team.