First game highs and lows

Keep on fighting!
(Photo credit: FIBA.com)

Make no mistake about it, the FIBA Asia Challenge Cup Gilas 5.0 is a well-coached team... just a mildly inexperienced one at that.

Still, the all-local squad was able to keep in step with "Asia basketball's rising giants," India, to the tune of 83-91. We were able to take the lead in the first quarter; but once the Indians were able to settle down and use their size to their advantage it became just too difficult for the young Gilas to overcome.

That is where having veterans (say, PBA stars) come in handy. Despite the height disadvantage, those who have played the game long enough on higher levels know how to limit opponents with proper positioning, discipline, underhanded tricks, and what not.

We have to give credit to Coach Josh Reyes' game plan of trying to play fast and spread out, true to his father Chot's adopted Dribble Drive Offense. We didn't see much of the Tab Baldwin halfcourt sets, as it was really an open-court type of game. The problem here is that, Coach Josh didn't exactly have a Jayson Castro who could break down defenders all by himself in the DDO formation.

Mike Tolomia had 10 points on a disastrous 4/18 clip, which tells me that he isn't really fit to carry a team on offense. With all due respect to what he has accomplished, we would consider Tolomia on the same level as a Ronjay Buenafe in the PBA, not a PJ Simon. His back-ups, Ed Daquioag 15p 7r 3a and Jaymar Perez 6/2/2 did a much better job off the bench and should really be considered as primary options in that DDO. Daquioag doesn't have the outside shot ala Tolomia, but he is able to finish around the basket much better. Perez on the other hand is an under-rated slasher/ finisher who is both fearless.

Tolomia's only advantage really, from what we saw in that first game, is his familiarity with Mac Belo 21/5. Or maybe, Belo's familiarity with his oft-erring guard. The UAAP Finals MVP proved how PBA-ready he was by seamlessly playing the 4 and 3 spots, knocking down outside shots while also finishing near the hoop despite the presence of taller opponents. Roger Pogoy 7/4/1 also showed some promise.

As for the rest, well, we hope that they could bounce back in the next match because from what we saw last night there is just no way in hell these kids are ready to apply for the PBA.

For now, we are going to single out Arnold Van Opstal and Kevin Ferrer. Both guys have played out their college careers so they are either set to stay with Gilas OR apply for the PBA Draft once the FIBA Asia Challenge Cup is over.

We understand that Opstal was the lone 6"9 guy on the roster that was left to battle against an Indian side that had four guys standing either 6"8 or 6"9. What we failed to understand is how this guy pretty much looked "lost" out there, guarding with his hands and pretty much fouling everyone within a span of six minutes en route to fouling out.

Does this guy even want to play for Gilas?

That was the most disgusting thing we have ever witnessed, specially for a guy like AVO who was being groomed or hyped to be a potential PBA game-changer a la 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo. It honestly felt like when AVO decided to forego his final playing year at DLSU, he also skipped practicing and honing his skills altogether.

Now on to Kevin Ferrer.

The former UST King Tiger took nine treys and one two, missing all of them in 18 minutes played. We don't care if that was the plan, for him to park outside and wait for the kickout pass-- but damn. Just damn. If you missed your first three or four shots from the outside, maybe, just maybe, you would want to consider sticking a jumper here and there just to get into a rhythm right? This isn't your first time playing for Gilas, so you (or your fans) can't use the "jitters" card.

NINE (MISSED) THREES? ARE YOU HIGH KEVIN?

Seriously, these kids.

All jokes (and frustrations) aside, we can still rebound from this loss. Our guys need to play smarter (that's you AVO, Tolomia) and within their abilities (Kevin). The DDO is a proven system that our guys can really buy into, so Coach Josh just needs to stay the course on that one. We would also hope that he entrust Perez and Daquioag more, while pulling in the reins on his guy Tolomia.

It is a good thing that our boys will have today off while India battles Chinese Taipei. Tomorrow, we will have to beat the equally rebuilding Taiwanese side while also trying to overcome their reinforcement Quincy Davis III.

#LabanPilipinas !