34th Jones Cup: Top 10 Things We've Learned

Pilipinas' battlecry: ATTACK!

1. The dribble-drive offense is just as effective a zone-breaker as shooting from the outside
This approach opened a lot of eyes in terms of breaking the dreaded zone defense that we Filipino, having learned and patterned the game from the Americans, believe to be indestructible. Of course, for the DD to be effective, a team has to have A) a slasher strong enough to protect the ball and receive contact and B) shooters to kick-out too. We've always had A covered, it was the B part that we never really consistently had until this year. Even Gilas I didn't enjoy such premium-quality shooters led by Jeffrei Chan (who is really Allan Caidic on a Chin Chun Su overdose). The most effective so far are starting guard L.A. Tenorio who does it by his craftiness and exceptional ball-handling plus back-up Sol Mercado who just bulldozes his way inside. They suck in the 2-3 zone and force opponents to regroup/ help, leaving our shooters roaming free and waiting for the ball.

Date kasi ang intindi natin, pagnaka zona ang kalaban, tirahan mo na lang ng tres. Wag ka na mag-effort. Papawisan ka lang. Buti sana kung lahat ng player natin e mala-Caidic na sure-ball. Ngayon, gumagalaw lahat.


2. We need more discipline in giving away fastbreak-preventing fouls
Gabe Norwood has been called for advantage fouls that resulted in two free throws plus possession. There were other players who were called for this as well. Our guys need to remember to just make a hard play on the basketball and not on the opponent and we'll be good.

3. Pilipinas has always had the talent
It was never a question of talent, it was more of teamwork. Despite having only three weeks to work out the kinks, we're sitting atop the JCup standings with a pretty 6-1 slate. Not bad if you ask me.

4. A Filipino can coach a winning Asian-level-of-play team
Where are the unpatriotic haters at? Coach Chot Reyes raised the bar of Filipino coaches with his style. This has always been his calling card when he came back to lead the Coca Cola Tigers to a title sometime in the 2003-2004 years. Run and gun, dribble-drive. Of course, he made some adjustments here and there (like recognizing the need for shooters) but this man can coach. Having Jong Uichico and Ryan Gregorio on board also doesn't hurt. Magtiwala at suportahan niyo naman ung sariling atin.

5. Gabe Norwood has finally gotten "it"
I don't want to jinx it just yet.

6. A 4 high-1 low set works from time to time
Iran does it. Korea does it. Chinese Taipei does it. So why not Pilipinas? Anytime Coach Chot goes with a line-up that features three guards and maybe Norwood or Ranidel de Ocampo at the 4 spot alongside Marcus Douthit-- good things happen. We are able to run, switch on so many defensive assignments and so on. When Kelly Williams recovers from his cheekbone fracture, expect our frontline to shore-up defensively.

7. We don't need two traditional low post scorers to win
Again, in support of #6, most Asian teams feature a traditional center paired with a hybrid forward. Not a banger or enforcer (like Korea did, completely forgetting about their own "Beast" #12 who this writer believes would've been a handful for our smaller, thinner frontline) but a guy who can make shots, run the floor and play defense. RDO has been pretty decent as our resident 4, with Norwood being his only solid back-up. Sonny Thoss needs to wake up and remember he's now called "The Boss" for a reason. He's been playing like he's still wearing ICTSI orange and black.

8. Rebounding is key
The zone defense doesn't allow great defensive rebounding opportunities simply because players are guarding areas on the floor instead of boxing out their respective assignments. We've augmented this so far with our constant switching (and RDO's penchant for getting drop-shot rebounds) but getting the rebounds will always prove vital in any league. More rebounds equals more possessions. How I wish  Team SMC allowed Marc Pingris on board-- specially after seeing 6"6 Tseng Wen Ting grab offensive board after offensive board after offensive board.

9. More shooters please
Jeffrei Chan, Larry Fonacier, a streaky Gary David, Garvo Lanete, L.A. Tenorio and at times, Norwood. We've now seen that our DD offense works, it just needs some more fine tuning and shooters to make shots. Lanete needs to make it back to the rotation and outwork some of the veterans on board. He's not there to just pick-up laundry anyway, Mac Baracael is as solid as they come defensively and he will be needed versus Jordan's Rasheim Wright and maybe Iran's bevy of scorers, but until he makes a jumper, his spot goes to Lanete. Or anyone who doesn't make us cringe whenever they set up for a jumpshot.

10. Marcus Douthit is no longer the focal point of the offense
This is the biggest and best adjustment that separates Gilas I from II. Before, Coach Rajko's game plan was to run everything through Douthit. While we won, it's not something you'd want to see from a National team. Too predictable, too mediocre. The locals were holding their end of the bargain defensively, but they weren't taking pressure off Douthit and were pretty much just working around him. Coach Chot on the other hand, likes to mix things up and calls plays for everyone. From Tenorio to David to Norwood, everyone is an active and integral part of the offense that doesn't allow opponents to regroup and focus their defense on a specific part of the floor. Douthit is still himself and has found ways to stay effective minus the basketball, but now he's getting tons of support from his local cast and not really being asked to take over games. These aren't kids he's playing with anyway, they're all seasoned veterans who've won titles in different leagues and do not shrink at big time moments. Really, the best thing about this "less Douthit" look is that it keeps the big man fresh enough to play defense AND for the end game.