Thoughts on the SMART Gilas program

Now that the dust has settled and the Philippine national team was able to somewhat reestablish the country as one of Asia’s basketball powers, we are now up to 45 in the FIBA World Rankings from the previous low of 53, it’s high time we start assessing the program—it’s coaching staff and players specifically.

Three years ago when the SMART Gilas team was formed, it was built behind the vision of being a separate, independent entity from the Philippine Basketball Association. People were quick to raise doubts at this notion that was said by no less than the then-controversial Noli Eala.

A few months later and the roster was built behind marquee names from the collegiate ranks. Some, but not all. There were players who were clear cut Most Valuable Player contenders in any league that weren’t on the team, which led some to believe that either there was a lot of politicking involved, or those other players’ handlers had other things in mind for their wards.

When SMART Gilas first decided to participate in the PBA, they looked more like a Junior Varsity team than one that should be playing in big international tournaments. They were enforced by a skinny, 6”11 center named C.J. Giles who was blessed with on-court athleticism, but lacked fundamental basketball IQ—true to the adage that “good help is hard to find.”

Fast track a few years and we see a change in philosophy (and personnel) within the SMART Gilas camp. PBA players were now being considered, even Serbian Coach Rajko Toroman had a wish list of 10 professional players that he named on one or more occasions (Sonny Thoss, Joe DeVance, Asi Taulava, James Yap, Arwind Santos, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes) that in itself could’ve replaced the entire SMART Gilas roster.

Giles was eventually replaced by a few names before finally stumbling upon a sleepy-eyed Marcus Douthit who was playing in other Asian leagues at the time. His addition should be credited as the 2^nd turning point in SMART Gilas history (with Eala’s departure as 1^st because it opened the doors for open communication with the PBA) because at that point, the team appeared like a contender. Douthit wasn’t scoring and dominating as he has now, but there was something in him that empowered his teammates.

Toroman then drew the support of the PBA and was able to land Dondon Hontiveros, Taulava, Alapag and de Ocampo for the William Jones Cup and FIBA-Asia where the team finished strong.

Was the program a success?

Yes. Our 4^th place finish, the highest in the last 24 years is not something that we should take for granted.

Can Toroman be replaced?

There’s no question that there are promising Filipino coaches such as the Banals, Chot Reyes, Norman Black and of course, the incomparable Tim Cone who can easily step in for Toroman. What RT brings however, is recruitment credibility. It has always been that way even in college. Players want to play for champion coaches. I doubt that Yeng Guioa could’ve landed Douthit, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz without alienating them at some point. Look at it this way, if you’re a division 1 player in the US looking at big money in Europe (the NBA’s a dream of course), why on earth would you risk playing for a complete stranger with blah credentials? I take it all back now. Only Tim Cone can and should replace Toroman.

Should we bring back the PBA players?

Yes. The PBA is still where the best players are found (or go). Unless our guys start leaving for Europe or the Chinese Basketball Association, then we should get our talent from there. Develop them early in college by forming National teams for meets such as SEABA, and keep them in touch and ready for FIBA duty once they hit the PBA ranks. The CBA does it all the time (their entire national team is made up of CBA players) and they’re winning, so why can’t we? Oh, right, politics.

Familiarity is the key.

Not a question, but a statement. Rajko Toroman was given three years with a core group of guys to run his system. Yes, names were thrown in every now and then but they more or less knew what he was running based on the fact that Talk N Text, Meralco and SMART Gilas all train under one roof.

I argue that yes, the PBA was wrong in thinking that they could just form an All Star team in a few months and think medals.

BUT. If you took a PBA team and added a few pieces here and there, that it would do well in the FIBA-Asia.

Let’s take Tim Cone back when he was with Alaska. The system is there, and his players are all familiar with one another. A starting unit of Tenorio-Baguio-Dela Cruz-DeVance-Douthit would be flat out awesome. Bring in Thoss for DeVance, and maybe a Dondon Hontiveros/ James Yap for Baguio and you’ve got yourself a legit powerhouse that is arguably better than the team that landed 4^th in the FIBA-Asia tournament. Care to disagree?

The way I see it, the powerhouse teams in the PBA that enjoy great coaching (B-Meg, Talk N Text, Ginebra) are just a few pieces away from being its own national team. So really, it’s all about building familiarity now (you can’t argue that Petron, TNT, B-Meg have glaring holes that can’t be filled up by one or two players unlike other teams).

Should MVP continue with the program?

Hell yes. And even when MVP says he’s done, SMC or some other franchise should step in and fill the void. Not just in basketball alone, but in Philippine sports in general. In terms of profitability, basketball will always be one of the bigger draws, but there’s so much promise in the Filipino talent just waiting, begging for a platform to showcase it on. The SMART Gilas program was a success despite the 4^th place finish and failure to land a spot in the Olympics. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t build from here.

In your mind, was the SMART Gilas I program a success (since reports have it that all systems are go for Gilas II)?