Laban Pilipinas

Imagine a Romeo - Abueva back court.

With all due respect to the men (and women) behind the much successful Gilas Pilipinas Men's Basketball Team, we feel that the next team that we should built should carry more than just an overly used and well-marketed campaign of "Puso."

We want a more aggressive team, a fighting team. One that doesn't wilt under pressure. One that features basketball players who will do what is necessary to win and not even think of apologizing. One that will not take games off owing to the level of the competition. No drama. They're not actors trying out for showbiz careers. Just pure basketball players who plays the game hard. Not to win. Not to lose. But HARD.

#LabanPilipinas

Terrence Romeo - there is no guard out there who plays with more FU swag than Romeo. He plays to embarrass his opponents, and despite being known as a scorer, is actually an under-rated, borderline "dirty" defender as well

Calvin Abueva - Romeo shoots, Abueva cleans up. The way backcourts should be. If one guy is an established scorer, than you almost always have to pair him with a guy who can slash and defend. It's always awesome if you can have two guys who are alike (if only Mark Caguioa and Paul Lee were of the same age). Abueva can play 1, 2, 3 and fight his way to playing 4 versus Asian bigs. He is fearless, basketball is not a pretty game. It's ugly, it's brutal, and that's how we'll win.

James Yap - Despite the dip in his performance the last two years owing to maintenance, injuries and adjusting to a new offensive system, Yap is still the guy who can shoot over his own screen-provider all the way from down town. He has the size, speed and strength to play the 2 spot, and he is as homegrown as Bacolod Chicken Inasal which should put any question of his dedication to playing for flag and country to rest unlike some "one and done" Fil-Ams who look like they can play FIBA ball, but are actually just in it to cash in on PBA careers.

Marc Pingris - as limited as Pingris is, he is the perfect sidekick to Fajardo off the ball. His hustle has been turned into legend, and even at an advanced age, there's no denying that Pingris will play his God damn legs off if only to secure a win for Pilipinas.

Junemar Fajardo - the Cebuano giant is the standard bearer of Philippine basketball, though he is still learning the nuances of the FIBA game, he has already shown an ability to throw his weight around inside the paint and even hand out an elbow or two versus pesky defenders.

Mark Barroca - Barroca edges out crowd favorite L.A. Tenorio because of his size and the way he pressures the basketball from end to end. While Tenorio has the range and court vision, Barroca has shown in his first few years in the PBA that he can get to that level (if not exceed it) in a way Johnny Abarrientos separated himself from Ronnie Magsanoc and other old school point guards.

Jayson Castro - the FIBA Asia hero takes a hit in the totem pole so to speak, owing to how he continues to have problems finishing games. He plays up to his moniker "The Blur" for 3 quarters a 3/4, only to be looking for his "Kuya" Jimmy Alapag to help him in the end. It was okay the last few years because Alapag was there. But now, moving forward, with guys like Romeo and Barroca (hopefully) available, Castro takes a step back to 6th man role on our book.

Gabe Norwood - while Fil-Ams usually dominate the PBA and disappear in the FIBA tourneys, Norwood is the lone exception. Whenever he is called to represent flag and country, Norwood transforms into a legit star who can make game winning plays on both ends of the court. It's going to be nice to see Abueva and Norwood out on the open court against some of the more slow-footed Asian teams wouldn't it?

Ranidel de Ocampo - still the best, "Ang Dalubhasa." Yes, he seems to take plays off and looks like he's happy waiting his turn on offense. But there's no single power forward in the PBA who is better than de Ocampo today and maybe for the next two years even (unless of course Ian Sangalang puts on some more muscle or develops a quick first step)

Greg Slaughter - Fajardo needs a backup, and it doesn't get any better than having a 7"0 Slaughter in the fold. The dream is for both guys to play together on the court, given their youth, we don't mind waiting a couple more years for that to happen (and maybe another big man to emerge)

PJ Simon - of all the PBA scorers, Simon is the one guy who I feel is the best of them all. Over Gary David (who, if he misses a few shots, scratches his head and smiles). Over Jeffrei Chan (who can't play a lick of defense when his shots aren't going in). Over Mark Caguioa (who's old). Over James Yap (who's not an apt ball handler). This guy is a true scorer who can light teams up quick and has no qualms about shooting your face off. It's easy for a guy like Simon to blame it on defense and or team politics as to why he isn't regarded as a legit superstar guard in the same breath as those mentioned above-- but instead of whining and crying about those things, he simply goes about his business and knocks jumpers and clutch shots all day. ALL DAY.

Japeth Aguilar - okay. We're throwing Aguilar in for two things: he's 6"9 and he's quick. If we can somehow get Ray Ray Parks, Jr. to suit up, then he gets Aguilar and his "6"9 room for error because he's still learning" minutes.

Over all, we feel that these 12 guys will trade faces, sweat and bleed for our country win, lose or draw. We've already seen Abueva jump over guys and land on one foot like a mad man (flirting with injury) -- and that's while playing for San Sebastian (he did it again with Alaska). Imagine how hard he's going to play when he finally gets to wear PILIPINAS on his chest.

Name your fighting, Laban Pilipinas 12.