SMART Gilas 2 needs to muscle up

Doug Kramer deserves a look

What's done is done, and yesterday's loss-- no matter how painful, will and should be treated as just another learning curve that our SMART Gilas Pilipinas men's basketball team has to go through to reclaim our once mighty status this side of the world.

Though the loss cost as a shot at the FIBA Asia title, let's all remember that there's still the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships which serves as qualifier for the FIBA Worlds. Let's not get ahead of ourselves now, and just stick to trying to win in Asia no matter the level of competition or play. Here are some guys, Team SMC or MVP, who should or deserve a look when it's time for Coach Chot Reyes et. al. to reassess the team and see where we need beefing up.

Hopefully, when we say "reassess and build," Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan is still at the forefront of our courageous efforts and not divorcing the program like he did with his Alma Mater.


Point guard

We like L.A. Tenorio. He's still too short to really play, but he has reintroduced and is the one guy who really embodies Coach Chot's "dribble drive" offense. It's almost like there's no one defending him on the floor, because he usually dribbles it from one side of the court deep into the gut of the defense-- either looking to pass or pull up for his pet floaters.

But if we really want to start winning, it has to start on defense. RYAN REYES has our vote. Ever since we started with offthebench.multiply.com, the kid can shoot, plays rugged defense, is fearless and has all the panggugulang that any basketball league allows (which would make Robert Jaworski, Sr. himself proud). JAYSON CASTRO should also get a look. If both guys are unavailable, then yes, bring back SOL MERCADO.

Shooting guard

Jeffrei Chan is the best shooter in the PBA. Gilas won't be needing a bunch of one-on-one guys, so a token combo guard would even do. If they're allowed, then we're going with MARCIO LASSITER (slasher) and CHRIS LUTZ (shooter). Mark Caguioa will always get some love, but he's already up there in years. JAMES YAP has become so over-rated in recent years that it took a Coach Tim Cone to bring him back down to earth and make him play defense.

Small forward

ARWIND SANTOS. JAY WASHINGTON. End of conversation.

Power forward/ Center

BEAU BELGA and DOUG KRAMER. Belga has the size, brute strength and diskarte that Sonny Thoss was exposed of not having when the Iranian center repeatedly brutalized him down low no matter their small height discrepancy (6"7 vs 6"10). Belga is an inch shorter than Thoss, but you'd be foolish to believe that bigger foreigners would and could easily score on him without ramifications. On offense, as horizontally challenged as he looks, Belga is actually quite quick on his feet (ask Japeth Aguilar, who keeps biting on three point fakes, tries to chase a driving Belga to the rim, only to bite on another brilliant head and shoulder AND double chine fake). Kramer is another guy who has embraced his position and has actually made an effort to bulk up to be effective. He has a solid mid range jumper, mean elbows and knows how to space the floor for his guards (which is very important. Some bigs, once they set screens, just stay put and do not adjust).

Of course, our suggestions would create for a stacked roster that won't make the 12 man cut. But that's why we have the brilliant Coach Chot and co. out there.

Of the 12 who're playing right now, we'd take out: Matt Rosser, Gary David, JayR Reyes, Sonny Thoss and (though we love his game) Larry Fonacier.