It's official: PBA names Anti-Gilas

Can the two Cabalens
co-exist to defeat Gilas?

After much online speculation and the PBA's official tallying of the votes for this year's All Star Game to be held at Digos, here's the official line-up of the team that will test the mettle of the SMART Gilas Pilipinas team coached by Chot Reyes.

PG: Alex Cabagnot, JVee Casio; SG: James Yap, reigning PBA MVP Mark Caguioa, Cyrus Baguio; SF: Calvin Abueva, Chris Ellis, Marcio Lassiter; PF: Nino Canaleta, Arwind Santos, Jay Washington; C: Beau Belga

Missing are breakout stars Sol Mercado (he's part of another All Star select team but is a lock to replace the hurting Casio) and Chris Ross, and maybe even guys like Mike Cortez (who's having a stellar season after being reunited with college coach Franz Pumaren) and reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee.

From what we're seeing so far, as far as scoring and speed is concerned, the All Stars (which we've been calling the Anti-Gilas for months now) will be able to more than hold their own on the offensive end. It's on defense where it will be a bit shaky, given that only Belga is manning the spot while Gilas has shored up its big man rotation (arguably the tallest and most skilled in years).

This team will put on a show, no doubt about it. They will probably test Gilas' perimeter defense more than on the inside since we don't really see anyone outside of maybe a Washington post-fadeaway play happening for the All Stars. Abueva will be fun to watch, but Gilas has a guy named Marc Pingris who can keep the explosive rookie at bay (specially if Pingris doesn't have to worry about rebounding or scoring as much given Marcus Douthit et al down low).

The true strength of this team lies in the wing position where they have a bunch of guys who can play both ends starting with Santos, Washington, Lassiter, Ellis and Canaleta. Then there's the firepower coming from Baguio, Caguioa and Yap (if he gets hot, which he usually doesn't when given limited shots on any all star select team).

Don't expect much from the point position if Mercado doesn't suit up for this All Star team. Casio has always been great versus Talk 'n' Text's guards- Ryan Reyes, Jayson Castro and Jimmy Alapag who are all part of the Gilas pool, but the guy's been hurting. Cabagnot is okay, but whatever pretty play he does on offense will be offset by his inability to guard the basketball.

As far as the forwards go, you have to pray for Washington to bring his A game against Ranidel de Ocampo. He's just as tall and more athletic, but he's nowhere near RDO's skill set. That, plus there's a former PBA MVP by the name of Kelly Williams who is also part of the Gilas rotation so Washington will have his hands full. Ditto with All Star teammates Canaleta, Abueva and Santos.

From an RoS fan's standpoint, and an even bigger Belga fan at that, we love that he has finally gotten the recognition due to him. He isn't this generation's Wilmer Ong. He is more of the throwback, Noli Locsin, Zaldy Realubit, Jolly Escobar types-- they can score and have good games, but their role is to play enforcer and protect the inside. Sadly, he'll get buckets by way of Douthit.

Which brings us to two things that this team needs to address (which the PBA will of course): 1) coaching and 2) reinforcements.

The logical choice would be to go with a system coach who is familiar with Gilas' exploits-- Norman Black and Ryan Gregorio. But by "system" that would mean that the All Star team would need to practice a lot and be familiar with the roles they are given.

There's also Hall of Fame coach Tim Cone and his triangle system. Again, it will need time for the All Stars to figure the basics.

That leaves us with the unpredictable Yeng Guiao. All Star game? One and done? Use all the guys on the roster and squeeze the very best off them?

No system. No set plays.

No problem.

We don't really expect the PBA All Stars to play without a legit import. Not versus Gilas. That would be a joke by all means and would make the game a waste of Gilas' time not to mention expose them to unwanted injuries.

So we're sticking with the two we've picked before: Rob Dozier and Michael Dunnigan.

Come on PBA, make it happen. Para sa bayan.