A (national) cause for concern

Gilas Cadets
(Photo credits to Rappler.com)

Do we keep sending an all star selection, be it of the professional or amateur lot, hastily assembled and asked to achieve great things or do we start building a more concrete program with a more familiar roster?

That is the conundrum that currently hounds the state of basketball in the country. Sure, the Gilas Cadet squad under head coach Tab Baldwin and bannered by promising collegiate stars Kiefer Ravena, Troy Rosario and Almond Vosotros got the job done. But against subpar teams in the South East Asian region (basketball-wise), there was the Thailand and Indonesia games (in the medal rounds) that felt a little too close for comfort.

Both Thailand and Indonesia sent a bunch of veterans who were already familiar with one another. The same could be said for the teams that we will be facing in the FIBA Asia tournament-- Iran and Korea have legitimate basketball programs anchored on guys who are in their prime. China is slowly rebuilding around a younger core. Japan is trying to look for a system that would work for them in this new age of basketball (they just need more shooters, IMHO). India is the sleeping giant (literally and figuratively) once they start paying more attention to basketball and not much on the hours-long cricket matches.

#AskKKS on Gilas 3

Because one of our readers asked/suggested/demanded that we should hear their ideas out and discuss certain issues instead of just picking topics by ourselves, here is the first official instalment of #AskKKS.

@PBALOL asked the following:

Win FIBA Asia Gold.

Seriously, if we are talking about what head coach Tab Baldwin and his Gilas 3 will need to accomplish to surpass Gilas 2... well then, it would have to be this very tall order which is definitely a lot easier said than done.

The Expendable

From near-franchise player
to rumored trade bait
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

What started as just another Holiday story from polarizing sports writer Snow Badua to pass the time has suddenly spread like wildfire on social media, with many still trying to make sense of the whole situation. Apparently, the Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters are looking at trading the recognized, still-in-his-prime, Best Point Guard in FIBA Asia, Jayson Castro to Kia Motors for a possible top pick in the coming 2015 PBA Draft.

Just in case you haven't heard yet, already jockeying for the Top Pick honors are 6"7 Fil-Tonggan Moala Tautuaa, 6"4, 2x UAAP Most Valuable Player Bobby Parks, Jr., Ateneo high flyer Chris Newsome (possibly) and even Ateneo ace, reigning UAAP MVP Keifer Ravena.

So what the reports are saying, if there's any truth to it, is that the Texters are looking to use Castro as live bait if only to land one of those three to four high profile names right away. It seems a bit off however, considering Castro is arguably the best combo guard in the PBA today (when healthy) and is looking like he's starting to slowly inherit the team from veteran Jimmy Alapag.

Thank you Chot

#ThankYouChot
(Photo lifted from Twitter)

I was never a fan of Vincent "Chot" Reyes.

Personally, he's just not a guy I think I could hang with-- based on his "TV personality." He is fashionable at a fault, back when he was still coaching in the PBA en route to a 5x PBA Coach of the Year award (that he reminds every person who visits his Twitter page). To me, his loud shirts took away from the game. Not that he is not entitled to wear his bright, colorful, fashionista ensemble to the SMART Araneta Coliseum or MOA Arena or wherever, but it came off as a bit of a distraction really.

Then there's his nonchalant attitude. Maybe it's because I was brought up by a rival school. There's just something about the way he talks I guess.

Is he misunderstood? Probably. Most likely.

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

In search of a leader

New coach means new players
means no more drama yes?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

I can vividly remember a coaching search not too long ago, wherein the final two candidates being considered were Yeng Guiao and Chot Reyes. There were more to the story, but apparently Reyes won the selection committee's hearts by having a solid, scholastic presentation and development program versus what we'd imagine as Guiao's old school style of simply telling guys what he plans on doing-- MS Powerpoint not included.

As far as possible coaches are concerned, we have a lot to choose from. The only problem is, of the names that are currently leading the coaching search-- maybe two are familiar with FIBA rules and style of play: booted Gilas head coach Chot Reyes and the well-traveled Gilas consultant/ FIBA veteran coach Tab Baldwin.

The rest have some experience on that level such as favorites Tim Cone, Norman Black, Jong Uichico and Yeng Guiao, to name a few.

My concern here is, how much freedom and leeway will be awarded whoever lands the coaching job of the Pilipinas Men's Basketball Team?

A new day

#ThankYouGilas

A runner-up finish in the 2012 FIBA Asia championships, a Jones Cup title, a lonesome yet historic victory in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and finally, a seventh-place finish in the SouthEast Asian Games...

... and with that, Gilas Pilipinas-- from head coach Chot Reyes to the defiant and valiant captain Jimmy Alapag, is no more. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' (SBP) President Manny V. Pangilinan announced it just recently, that we will no longer see this version of the Philippines' Men's Basketball Team lovingly called "Gilas." Others have gone on to social media to express their thoughts. Some call it a travesty, an over-reaction to the Asiad debacle. Others say that it's been a long time coming and perhaps, another camp (Team San Miguel Corporation) should take charge.

Whatever it may be, know that this is not a dark day in Philippine basketball but rather a bright one.

Winning (and losing) with dignity

Under fire: Gilas head coach Chot Reyes
(Photo courtesy of InterAKTV)

The public outrage on Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes, for his failure to lead Gilas Pilipinas to a medal finish in the recently concluded 2014 Asian Games, is indeed unfair, yet also well-deserved.

Defenders of the five-time PBA Coach of the Year awardee are quick to point out how "well" his team did in the also recently concluded 2014 FIBA World Cup (considering we finished with a 1 win, 4 losses record), citing that there's little the fashion-forward coach could do given the fact that the tools at his disposal-- his players, are either hurt or exhausted. However, the two other Asian teams that went to Spain with Gilas (Iran and Korea) fielded an even more intact line-up while we added new reinforcements: Marcus Douthit and Jarred Dillinger.

The offensive and defensive sets, one cannot argue that Gilas ran and stuck to the game plan to a "T." Did they tire themselves out of games in the first 3 and a half quarters much like they did in Spain? Probably. Did the team let opponents come storming back in by playing a deliberate, fast paced, game of runs offense that often found Coach Chot Reyes not calling for a timeout and instead having his players weather the proverbial storm?

Moving Forward: The Gilas Program

While the current batch of Gilas Pilipinas stalwarts try their best to salvage whatever is left of their 2014 Asian Games campaign, we deem it necessary for the program not to be hastily aborted but rather to be reevaluated.  While it's always easy to pin the losses and off court drama on Gilas head coach Chot Reyes (the "shoot at our own rim because we didn't do our jobs in regulation to reach quotient versus Kazakstan" ploy is unforgivable though), we feel that he's still the man for the job.

Tim Cone, the country's winningest PBA coach, is not going to coach the national team any time soon as long as he's under the San Miguel corporate banner and the Gilas program under rivals, Manny V. Pangilinan's. So there goes that option. Yeng Guiao, the other winningest coach in recent years next to Cone and Reyes, has already gone on record to decline any future invite.

We can keep throwing names around such as Norman Black or Jong Uichico, but Chot Reyes has delivered in what he had initially designed/ planned for Gilas: to put Philippine basketball back on the world map.

#salamatjimmy

#salamatjimmy

Now can I get an encore, do you want more
 Cookin raw with the Brooklyn boy
 So for one last time I need y'all to roar

 

 Now what the hell are you waitin for
 After me, there shall be no more
 So for one last time, nigga make some noise

- S. Carter, 2003

 

He'll be back, playing in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters. He'll still be crazy-eyed as always, barking out orders zeroed in on erring understudies who have yet to inherit his laser focus and passion. He'll still be the same old Jimmy, ever gracious, smiling at fans even those who doubted his PBA Most Valuable Player award just a few years ago.

 

But last night, when he willed Gilas Pilipinas and the nation of 7,107 islands strong into its first (and for the 2014 FIBA World Cup, last) victory, it was his encore. His swan song. His last shot at glory and immortality on the biggest stage of them all.

The Unknown

Will he play with PUSO?
(Photo courtesy of SolarSportsDesk.Ph)

"The boys may not be afraid yet, but we're getting a bad feeling. This passage, with its "decaying coconuts" and forest "darkness" hints that nasty things are on the way. No wonder the littluns start freaking out." - excerpt from "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

The unknown and our fear of it is the "darkness" that we speak of, of the "nasty things" being on its way.

As Gilas Pilipinas flies out West to Miami, Florida to train for the coming FIBA World Cup tournament to be held in Spain, there's a lingering sense of doubt among fans. Realistically speaking, no one is expecting a podium finish this time around. Logic dictates that our team can win a game or two at best, but overcoming the powerhouse European teams and America might be a little out of the question.

The sense of the unknown or doubt, comes by way of one Andray Blatche. The man who is being touted as our new hero, to replace the one that has spent the last four or five years bringing us back to Asian basketball contention-- Marcus Douthit.

The Last Home Stand

In retrospect, the failed PLDT Gilas Last Home Stand was meant to raise money for charity and not simply for the enjoyment of basketball fans. Life, real life, is always bigger than basketball. The local organizers, Manny V. Pangilinan et. al., had nothing but great and meaningful intentions.

So to them, we say "thank you" and that we honestly hope that they continue with such efforts in bringing world class talent to the Philippines all for a good cause.

Were we disappointed with the outcome?

Yes, because no one really bothered to clarify that an actual 5 on 5 game was NOT going to happen. PLDT was correct in saying that they never promised a game, although they made a damn good job of teasing it with their faulty marketing exploits.

Maybe we should blame ourselves, yes, us, the Filipino basketball fantards who were spoiled with the Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant game vs the PBA and Gilas selections that we thought that: "hey, since they're bringing in about 10 to 12 NBA starters, maybe they're going to play versus our Gilas!"

Well, guess not.

Coaching Carousel: Team MVP Edition (Uichico to TNT)

Jong Uichico, arguably the most successful of the Ron Jacobs coaching apostles, will be back on the sidelines in the coming 40th PBA season by way of the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

See, personnel wise, there shouldn't be anything wrong with the Texters. That they should've won or at the very least challenged the San Mig Coffee Mixers the entirety of this season instead of winning big in the elimination rounds of the three conferences before bowing out in the Playoffs.

Save for a few additions, this is still now Gilas Pilipinas' head coach Chot Reyes' Texters. They lost Ali Peek to retirement and added two versatile scores in Nino Canaleta and Danny Seigle while keeping the core in place, so you could understand where management's frustrations with Black would come from.

Coaching Carousel: Team MVP Edition (Part 1: Black to Meralco)

For the Meralco Bolts and reportedly soon-to-be former head coach Ryan Gregorio, it was a hard four years.

They inherited a once proud Santa Lucia Realty franchise that saw it's two young stars, Ryan Reyes and Kelly Williams, shipped to their older brother Talk 'n' Text. A couple of promising talents (Joseph Yeo, Denok Miranda) were also sent elsewhere. So, to fill the void, the Bolts opted to bring in Mac Cardona as their franchise player to team up with the likes of aging bigs Marlou Aquino and pre-Team Ageless Asi Taulava.

It was rough. Cardona was dumped, another exiled Texter in Jared Dillinger was brought in and more trades were made to help the Bolts' campaign. This season, the team fielded in a not too shabby starting or best five of Mike Cortez, Gary David, Jarred Dillinger, Reynel Hugnatan and Rabeh Al Husseini.

That's actually not a bad five, with Danny Ildefonso and Cliff Hodge coming off the bench.

Gilas Pilipinas gears up for FIBA Asia Cup

Gilas call-up after 
Year of redemption for JWash

If we are to be taken seriously by other countries as a resurging basketball power, then we should move on from last year's inspiring silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship Cup (which is also the last of its kind in terms of being a FIBA World Cup Qualifier).

It begins with consistency, and we're not talking about finishing 3rd or 4th time and again. We're talking gold or silver at worst for Gilas Pilipinas or whichever incarnation of the country's men's basketball team follows suit. Iran is definitely a lock, China has been having some coaching and personnel problems but they'll always be there. From the third spot down, it's an open field.

For the coming FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China in July 11 to 19, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes has opted to bring in some of his pool players/ new recruits in an effort to keep his cards close to his chest and keep his core guys well rested.

The holdovers are Ranidel De Ocampo, LA Tenorio, Gary David, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo and naturalized center Marcus Douthit (in what might be his last tour of duty should NBA center Andray Blatche suit up in the FIBA World Cup). Out from the 2013 Silver Medal team are Gabe Norwood, Marc Pingris, Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier and Jeff Chan.

Up for sale

Here's a question that the media and those in the know seem to keep skirting around on: which PBA team will Manny V. Pangilinan buy for his NLEX Road Warriors?

We already know that NLEX wants in. Bad. We've heard Alaska rumors. Now we've been hearing a lot of Air21 rumors. Of the "Joseph Yeo Gentleman's Agreement" (didn't know that there was honor among thieves) getting in the way. Of how there are two teams (Air21 and, since their name was thrown out there earlier, Alaska) that are up for sale.

TWO.

Is it too late for either Blackwater or Kia to step in and buy the other one? Or maybe it's just a ploy being used by NLEX to help speed things up. As a bargaining chip against the team that they really want to purchase. Would make a lot of sense really-- say that there's this other team that's also up for sale but cheaper, but you're still taking to the concerned party out of delicadeza and so on.

Habla Espanol Gilas Pilipinas?

The dream continues for an archipelago of 7,107 islands lying in the South East of Asia.  After salvaging the Silver medal in last year's FIBA Asia Worlds-qualifying tournament, the Philippines -- bannered by a 12-man roster aptly called "Gilas Pilipinas" sets its sights on the FIBA Worlds to be held this 2014 in Spain.

But just how far can we dream, really?

Widening the Gap

Dating back to the inclusion of the sport of basketball in the South East Asian Games in 1977,  the Philippines has successfully brought home the gold medal in every single edition held save for 1989 wherein we lost to host country Malaysia (2005 was held in the Philippines but scrapped owing to our FIBA suspension while in 2009 Indonesia nixed the sport due to lack of facilities).

So there is some truth when Filipinos proudly declare that the country is the "Kings of Southeast Asian Basketball."

2014 FIBA World On Our Minds

Should Gilas Pilipinas send all 12 to Spain?
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

We know, we know.

It's too early to be posting about Gilas Pilipinas, its 2014 FIBA World campaign, and wether we should change the line-up or not. We also understand that the 12 players who gutted it out through this year's FIBA Asia en route to a silver medal finish are more than deserving to be sent to Spain. That any or all talks about any player from Asia's finest Jayson Castro to little-used big man Junmar Fajardo are to be on the positive slant given their now "revered" status.

But don't bet on foreigners to egg Gary David through another one of his now infamous shooting slumps. Or that Gilas can afford and withstand another mid-game scoring drought against NBA to EuroBasket-level competition.

Gilas Pilipinas needs tweaking. But not as much as some would think. They don't need an overhaul of talent, they just need some upgrades here and there when it comes to personnel. Here's a shortlist of players we feel can help the Gilas cause at the Worlds and who we're "okay" with taking out of the current line-up:

Mi sueno Espanol

Durant vs Norwood. 2014 FIBA World.
If we're lucky. Or unlucky.
(Photo lifted from the Internet)

A year from now, twenty four teams from all over the world will take part in what promises to be the most spectacular basketball event in recent memory—if only because our very own, newly-minted FIBA Asia silver medalists Gilas Pilipinas will take the Spanish hardcourts with the very best.

We’re talking about none other than the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (formerly FIBA World Champsionship). As of press time, already qualified are USA (Olympics), Spain (host country), Australia and New Zealand (representing FIBA-Oceana which, you guessed it, only has two teams to speak of), and of course the Asian finalists: Iran, Philippines (that’s us) and Korea.

So what are our chances, really?