Against all odds

Talk about having to earn your keep
(Photo credit to the owner)

The late Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, was once quoted for saying that "the strongest steel goes through the hottest fire." While we're not entirely sure that Gilas 3 has gone through the "hottest" of ordeals (yet, or maybe they're in the middle of it), they sure as hell aren't enjoying the cool breeze as they prepare for the FIBA Asia tournament this coming September 23.

Consider the following "challenges" that Gilas 3 has endured/ is enduring: the continued SMC player drama; Andray Blatche being overweight, losing an uncle and needing to tend to his ailing mother; Kelly Williams, on the very first official practice day for Gilas 3, tearing his MCL; JC Intal losing his father-in-law; expected injuries/ player-maintenance and the team's overall inability to practice as one, complete (and healthy) unit.

It would be very wise to temper all expectations, folks.


Right now, we know who we have on board: PG Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Jimmy Alapag SG Dondon Hontiveros, Gary David, SF Calvin Abueva, JC Intal, Gabe Norwood, Matt Rosser, PF Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Troy Rosario, Aldrech Ramos, Moala Tautuaa, C Andray Blatche, Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss.

They are now in Chinese Taipei, participating in the 2015 William Jones Cup minus Blatche who had to fly back home to the United States. This probably means that Tautuaa is going to take his spot for the time being, which reduces our ceiling by about 4 inches (from a 6"11 starting power forward to 6"7). It also means that we'll have to rely on Asi Taulava, who has never been an option in the low post in spite of his 6"9 frame.

Moving forward, this team looks more like it's built to run and switch be it on offense or defense. The overall identity will probably switch from Gilas 2's dribble drive/ drive and kick game built around Castro and the shooters, to a more balanced attack- Swing Offense wherein 4 guys are out top and 1 guy handles the block (Blatche). We've already seen flashes of what Abueva can do, so we can picture him playing alongside Gabe Norwood and or Matt Rosser, plus a point guard in Castro. Coach Tab has been trying to pair Abueva with Romeo off the bench, but we feel that Castro-Abueva will work better since Castro is wiser and has a more reliable 3 ball.

In a nutshell, Gilas 3is a blue collar, scrappy and feisty team with guys roughly around the same size. Like an All Star, souped-up version of the 2014-2015 Meralco Bolts IMHO.

Question is, will it be enough?

Against traditionally slow teams like China and Korea, we have a legitimate fighting chance. If we can pester their guards enough with our slew of multi-dimensional forwards, Gilas 3 actually has a shot in advancing well into the medal rounds.

Against Iran?

There's the problem. As quick as our best defenders are (Abueva, Pingris, Norwood, Rosser), Iran relies on quick ball movement and floor spacing. Sure, we have the guys to combat them, but size might be the telling factor if they go one-on-one. Hamed Haddadi's in there and he'll be a pain; so our best bet is to maybe lure him out to guard Blatche, or switch him on Ranidel de Ocampo. This should work, unless of course Iran's super small forward Nikkhak Bahrami slides down to the 4 and gives Pingris or whoever it is on him hell inside and outside (even the fabled defense of "FIBA Gabe" couldn't really lock him up in 2013).

We love what Gilas 3, with the guys on the roster, can do theoretically. BUT...

... back to the problems that we are currently facing.

Blatche went back to the US, and he didn't really look like the same guy who played in the FIBA Worlds. He's a step slower though still tricky with his handles, and playing in the paint (as the Swing Offense's anchor) might not be to his liking (just a hunch). Will we just play him iso-Blatche again, with the rest of the guys just spacing the floor? Then, we should've brought in more shooters.

Oh, there's the other problem.

So far, Castro has been our best shooter from deep. Not David, not Hontiveros, not Intal.

Castro.

Blatche would be the 2nd best it seems.

We're holding out for de Ocampo since he's been sidelined by an injury, but then again who knows what kind of shape he'll be in once he returns to the final roster.

If you're a Gilas 3 fan, or Filipino basically, all you can really hope and pray for at this point is that everyone stays healthy.

Forget Rio, even a Bronze Medal would be pretty awesome with all the drama that this team has been forced to go through.

#Tiwala