Homecourt advantage

Dream BIG.
(Photo credit: smartgilasbasketball.com)

The dream has become so much bigger than simply ruling the South East Asian region. The dream is now to conquer Asia in hopes of making it into the global basketball conversation.

Call the upcoming SEABA tournament slated from May 12 to 18 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum as phase one.

We already know who is part of the 24-man Gilas pool:

The Cadets, who are mandated to suit up:
1. Carl Bryan Cruz (Alaska)
2. Kevin Ferrer (Ginebra)
3. Mac Belo (Blackwater)
4. Von Pessumal (Globalport)
5. Russel Escoto (Mahindra)
6. Ed Daquioag (Meralco)
7. Alfonzo Gotladera (NLEX)
8. Matthew Wright (Phoenix)
9. Mike Tolomia (Rain or Shine)
10. Arnold Van Opstal (San Miguel)
11. Jio Jalalon (Star)
12. RR Pogoy (TNT)

And the pros, who were released to Gilas by their mother teams barring any injuries or unforeseen circumstances:

13. Calvin Abueva (Alaska)
14. Art Dela Cruz (Blackwater)
15. Japeth Aguilar (Baranga Ginebra)
16. Terrence Romeo (Globalport)
17. LA Revilla (Mahindra)
18. Jonathan Grey (Meralco)
19. Bradwyn Guinto (NLEX)
20. Norbert Torres (Phoenix)
21. Raymond Almazan (Rain or Shine)
22. June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel)
23. Paul Lee (Star)
24. Jayson Castro (TNT)

Right now, we know that Escoto is out with an injury which will take some time to heal. That means that the Cadet line-up, should they be asked to suit up for the SEABA tournament, will be one-man short. TNT Katropa has already announced that they are more than happy to release Troy Rosario to the team, the same guy that steered the Cadets to the 2016 title versus Thailand, so that should be a plus.

Should Gilas send its best guys?

Well, we are still waiting for the FIBA calendar to be announced. We'd love to see the final roster sure, so that they can continue building on-court chemistry, but based on what we've seen this PBA Philippine Cup, Rosario, Belo, Wright, Ferrer, Jalalon and Daquioag are more than capable to hold their own against, at least, the South East Asian level of competition.

We are not taking our SEABA rivals lightly, just giving our Cadets the credit that is owed them after their gold medal romp last year.

What we do not want, on home soil specially, is a repeat of the one-point win versus Thailand. If we are flirting with Asian, Global dreams, then Gilas needs to maintain a high level of consistency seen from Iran and China (pre-rebuilding). No matter the tournament, those national teams would rip their opponents to shreds and win by 20 if they could every single time. One-point wins? That's something they go through in the Medal rounds of tournaments, not in the eliminations wherein they win-- handily.

If we were to take both rosters and trim it down to 12, it would look like this:

1. Kevin Ferrer (Ginebra)
2. Mac Belo (Blackwater)
3. Matthew Wright (Phoenix)
4. Jio Jalalon (Star)
5. RR Pogoy (TNT)
6. Calvin Abueva (Alaska)
7. Japeth Aguilar (Baranga Ginebra)
8. Terrence Romeo (Globalport)
9. Raymond Almazan (Rain or Shine)
10. June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel)
11. Paul Lee (Star)
12. Jayson Castro (TNT)

We'd drop Ferrer as our 13th man/ reserve once Andray Blatche (or whoever Gilas is able to suit up) is available.

Phase one.

Then FIBA Asia. Then FIBA World.

@kilikilishot on social media