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.

Candidates for the Gilas 2.0 Head Coach

The Smart Gilas project is over (maybe on player’s contract) and the stint of coach Rajko Toroman is still uncertain whether he wants to come back for another quest for FIBA Asian Qualifier this 2013 or accept offers from another national teams (I hope he may not).
There are some names floating around the basketball community to replace the Serbian coach, Chot Reyes of Talk N Text Tropang Texters, Norman Black of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Jong Uichico of Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and Yeng Guiao of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are one of the most sought after coaches that can replace Toroman for the Gilas 2.0.

All the names mentioned above have already experienced handling national team in the recent years. Black handled the 1994 RP National Team which mostly composed of San Miguel Beermen who won the All Filipino title against Coney Island Ice Cream Stars, with amateurs then Marlou Aquino and Kenneth Duremdes, with Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera and Rey Evangelista, in 1994 earning fourth place. Reyes handled the 2007 RP National Team which composed of PBA All-Stars and some collegiate standouts. He led the team to a 9th place finish in FIBA Asia Championship Cup, third place in William Jones Cup, and a title in the Brunei Cup. Originally handpicked by Ron Jacobs, Uichico handled the 2002 RP National Team after he (Jacobs) suffered a stroke. He guided the team to a fourth place finish after Lee Sang Min’s three point shot ended our hope for a possible silver medal. Guiao handled the 2009 RP National Team with the ultimate goal of competing for the World Basketball Championship in Turkey but failed to live up the expectations.

With an impressive resume regarding the experience in international tournaments, I might say that Chot Reyes is the best candidate for the Gilas 2.0 if Toroman won’t return at all. He is the only Filipino member of the US Basketball Academy. In terms of preparations, dedication and being one of the assistant to Toroman in Wuhan, he is more credible replacement for the Serbian coach. The only hindrance is his stint with the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the PBA.

My second choice is Yeng Guiao. He may not be the greatest X’s and O’s type of a coach, but his passion cannot be questioned by others. He may be fierce to his players, one of the best characteristics of Guiao as a coach is his “eye for the talent”. I believed that his 2009 RP Team is one of the best line up ever assembled compare to the previous lineups handled by three coaches(and if only Marcus Douthit is naturalized during that time). He is also one of the best in terms of player rotation, which is one of the flaws on Toroman’s system in Wuhan.

Maybe in 2013, Reyes and Guiao will handle the Gilas 2.0. And I don’t think it’s a good idea as far as pride is concern. But who knows?

The Future of our National Team

After the FIBA-Asia where the Smart Gilas National Team finished fourth, a lot of speculations circulating in the Philippine Basketball Community whether if our quest for the Olympics is over, if Coach Rajko Toroman will return for another stint with the team or will the PBA create a new set of delegations for the 2013 FIBA-Asia.

First and foremost, Manny V. Pangilinan stated in his interview that he and the SBP will continue the program whether it will be on 2013, 2015 or it takes forever t qualify for the Olympics. However, the status of Toroman is still uncertain.

The latest buzz is if Toroman won’t be renewing his contract with Gilas and leave the team, either assistants Chot Reyes or Norman Black will handle the team because of their familiarity with Toroman’s system. But the stronger candidate is Black in which he also handles the RP Team in 2011 SEAG.

Also, the PBA expressed their intentions to help by representing the National Team in international tournaments and very willing to cooperate with the SBP to make things happen.

In my point of view, PBA can be a great help for the National Team but they must limit their involvement for it may disrupt the chemistry and familiarity of the former core of Gilas. And if ever they must not replace Toroman. He successfully brought back the Philippines to the basketball map in Asia and the program must continue in the 2013 FIBA qualifier.

Marcus Douthit maybe 33 or 34 years old during the FIBA qualifier, but he can still be a force to reckon, but he must limit himself to some games to avoid serious injuries. And the idea of having Fajardo, Slaughter, Aguilar and Chiu in the team will help Douthit to lessen some scoring loads in his shoulders.

The idea of having a tall point guard must be the focus right now. JV Casio and Jimmy Alapag are great point guard but they are small compare to other PGs in Asia. Having a 6-5 PG in the mold of Gabe Norwood or Ray-Ray Parks is a good improvement for the team.

To sum it up, I’m against on creating an All PBA Team for the 2013 FIBA Asian qualifier. They can add players to the old Smart Gilas core in order to improve their lineup. They must also retain Toroman for the furnishing of the system, but if he won’t be returning for good, Norman Black can take over. Adding a pure shooter on the team will be a great help (James Yap or Dondon Hontiveros).

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!

Thank you SMART GILAS!

Once and for all, I would like to congratulate Smart Gilas for being the Top 4 teams in the FIBA-Asia. Although they lost a potential silver medal against Jordan, still I am very proud of the accomplishments of Coach Rajko Toroman and the Gilas boys.

I remembered the last time when they formed the Smart Gilas, I was so disappointed on the selection of the players for the team. Some Fil-Ams were included in the line-up like Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter, which for me is still unknown players then (maybe because I’m not interested to look for their stats and Lutz and Lassiter even played more heart than other players requested to play for the team), another thing is the naturalization of Marcus Douthit. For me, it’s an insult to naturalize a player from another country in which we have Junmar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter to fill Marcus’ shoes. (But the way Marcus played this FIBA Asia, he is a Filipino at heart)

But it’s all easier said than done…

Coach Rajko said to conquer their goal “London 2012”, their current line-up which composed of several amateur players like Casio, Tiu, Baracael, Barocca, Ababou and Ballesteros is not enough to realize their goal. That’s why he asked the PBA and PBA teams to lend their players to play for the team. However, only MVP teams cooperate and actually lend their players for the Gilas team (I salute Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams and Asi Taulava). Also, he asked Junmar Fajardo and other collegiate players to play for the team, but UAAP and NCAA won’t allow their players because the collegiate championship is more prioritized than playing for the flag.

In the current FIBA-Asia, we actually saw our national team played their hearts out in order to conquer their goal. Although the height advantage is very evident during games, the players never… as in never backed down against giant teams in Asia.

Now, if we able to snatch a win against Korea, there is a very slim chance to qualify for the London Olympics, in which we will face other teams from Europe and America in the wild card phase for the remaining slots for the Olympics.

To those critics who said that Gilas project is a failure, think again twice. From rank number 9, we climb up to rank number 4. This is considered as an accomplishment for the team already. We all know all project has its flaws but we can fixed that flaw in the future. So please stop blaming the Gilas team for they didn’t match their expectations. If we feel sorry for the lost, how much worse they’re feeling right now?

Thank you again Smart Gilas for bringing back the basketball glory in our country.

Let’s hope that the next Gilas team will be as formidable as the current team today.

Let us support the Philippine basketball!

JAPETH AGUILAR: THE TALL ORDER

If you have a 6’ 9” height, with exceptional athletic talent and experience playing in NCAA Division 1 in college, expect that PBA Teams will sign you just name your price or you will be given a slot on our national team.

That is JAPETH AGUILAR.

From his college years with Ateneo to NCAA Division 1 experience to being the Number 1 Draft pick in 2009 and a Smart Gilas mainstay, his resume is very impressive. But the question is, “Is he (Japeth) the next big thing in Philippine Basketball?”

Gone are the days of a physically gifted big man landed in the PBA with the likes of Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben and Benjie Paras. I will not mention the coming of EJ Feihl, Cris Bolado, Yancy de Ocampo and even Samigue Eman. But when Japeth applied for the 2009 PBA Draft, we see a bright future ahead of him and being picked by the Burger King under Coach Yeng Guiao as the first overall pick. But after that, wind of change cam to his mind and announcing that he will play for the flag, and not for the PBA. A lot of critics blame him because if he wanted to play for the country, why did he apply for the draft? But after being feared of facing a lifetime ban in the PBA, a trade was consummated to transfer Japeth to Talk N Text for some bag of Nips.

The trade allowed him to play for the NT. And we saw what Japeth can bring to the team. He even explode for 21 points and 15 rebounds in 15 minutes against the Syria, but unable to strut his stuff against the powerhouse team China.

Doubters claim that even Japeth has the height of a giant and can put up super dunks and alley-ops; still he is a defensive liability to the team. But if you will observe how Japeth plays inside the court, you will notice the following: Poor dribbling skills, doesn’t have the post up moves, inconsistent from mid-range and beyond and poor body frame to push off bigger and stronger player inside the paint. Those skills are very important especially if you will be the starting center of any PBA or NT.

But still, Japeth has yet to experience the PBA brand of game this season. His experience in the FIBA Asia will help him to be one of the top centers to play in the PBA.

What is the tall order for Japeth? Another run of grandslam for the Talk N Text this season…