Deep, versatile and skilled

Payagan ka kaya ng SMC?

The 16-man pool has officially been released to the public, this is no longer a "wish list" but the actual names of the guys that SMART Gilas 2 head coach Chot Reyes wants on his team. The heat will be on their respective teams to deliver (specially the San Miguel camp who will be cast as unpatriotic if they do otherwise), so this is probably as good as it can get for Team Pilipinas.

Just a question though, did Coach Chot settle for old ties rather than getting the best available talent? Here's this writer's take on the final SG2 training pool.




PG Jayson Castro/ Alex Cabagnot/ L.A. Tenorio/ Jimmy Alapag

Pinas' Best PG1a and PG1b.
Tipong CP3 vs Dwill. Si Castro si D-Rose.

Okay, seriously now, FOUR point guards? Bet money on Tenorio being dropped from the list because of his height disadvantage. Back in college, I'd argue for his inclusion, but he isn't as quick as he once was moving right to left. He's smart and tactical, but JVee Casio would've been a better choice at this point. Castro and Alapag are the definite locks. Cabagnot? The jury's still out on the KKS Wizard. He's amazing with the basketball on offense, but a complete dud on defense.

SG James Yap/ Gary David/ Ryan Reyes
Okay, seriously now, no Chris Lutz? The guy is just a pound or two skinnier than Ryan Reyes. Why is James Yap back on board? Haven't we learned our lessons here? This guy has turned into a spoiled, streak-shooter on a good day. Yes, he has improved quite a bit under Tim Cone, but a knockdown shooter he is not. Those who care to argue otherwise, check his FG percentage and compare it to Jeffrei Chan or even a Tony dela Cruz. If anything, David should get the start and be replaced by Reyes. Yap only comes in as a third option.

SF Marcio Lassiter/ Arwind Santos/ Larry Fonacier/ Gabe Norwood
Lassiter and Fonacier will do whatever is asked of them no questions about that. Santos? I don't know. The last time Coach Chot and Santos were on a National Team together, the fashion-forward coach could only utter in disgust during a timeout "Pakita mo na si Arwind Santos ka!" And the last time Santos played for flag and country, he was too busy trying to win a tryout for international scouts and shooting our team to hell. Okay, what has Norwood done to even be considered for SG2 duty? And this is coming from a Rain or Shine fan.

Kung babalik ung jersey-popping,
angas Rico V na to, sige, payag na ako

PF Kelly Williams/ Marc Pingris/ Enrico Villanueva

Williams will work his ass off playing alongside a great center (Marcus Douthit or, if rumors are true, JaVale McGee). Pingris will piss the living daylights off bigger centers and I just cannot wait for him to take on Yi JianLian and make the Chinese sensation work for his points. Villanueva on the other hand, is another questionable selection in my book. From Ateneo to Ginebra, the big man has regressed to the point that an injured, one-legged and aging Eric Menk, undersized Willy Wilson and even sweet shooting/ none rebounding Nino Canaleta has taken away his minutes. He's not a big rebounder, not even a back to the basket scorer so it's either Coach Chot sees something we don't, or the Ateneo ties is working its way into the selection system.

C Ranidel de Ocampo/ Sonny Thoss

KKS The Doctor deserves to be on the National Team until the wheels fall off. Him, or Kerby Raymundo (if he ever gets healthy) really. Thoss will be a key contributor if he slides down to the PF spot as an enforcer. Don't expect him to produce offensively however. Either way, this is the position that we'll be good at because of the expected reinforcements.

Honestly, this writer froths at the mouth at a possible five of Castro, Lassiter, Santos, De Ocampo and Douthit (provided they play within the system) or a Cabagnot, David, Williams, Pingris and Douthit team that could run up the scoreboard while keeping the defensive pressure anchored by an intimidating frontline.

The Norwood, Yap and Villanueva picks are questionable yes, but things look real bright for SMART Gilas and the Philippines' chances come FIBA time.