The Dream Match: Gilas I vs II

PG: Jimmy Alapag/ JVee Casio/ Mark Barroca vs L.A. Tenorio/ Sol Mercado/ Gabe Norwood


Advantage goes to Gilas I owing to Alapag and Casio’s marksmanship. They are able to spread the floor more than the current PG rotation who are mostly dribble-drivers by trade (except Tenorio). Of the lot, you’d say that I will have a hard time stopping II’s bigger and stronger guards, but this is a team game and PGs aren’t needed to drive inside in the FIBA games, they’re meant to shoot from deep and play safety on defense. You can argue for Gilas II by saying that Mercado and Norwood are best suited to play alongside Chan and David, but three points per trip is still three points per trip.

Adv. Gilas I

SMART Gilas 1: Revisited

What if?

Now that the season is over and we know where each of the concerned pieces stand, this writer can not help but picture what might have been had all the original, dreamt players taken part of the highly successful SMART Gilas program. Though there were about five or six players who chose to skip the national program and move on to the pros, let's single out three who could've improved our chances: Rabah Al Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Paul Lee.

Al Hussaini, at a beefy 6"5, would've been a joy to watch offensively for Gilas. A traditional post big who can knock down mid range jumpers, the former King Eagle would've commanded respect and helped open up the floor for naturalized center Marcus Douthit. Anyone who's ever played the game would tell you that having a big who can anchor the offense down low is always a plus, because it makes things easier for everyone. Guys can roam freely and choose their spots on the floor and makes the defenders extend outside if used correctly.

Tiu-day's the day

The PBA needs Chris Tiu

Apologies for the elementary-level title. Had second, third, fourth and even eight thoughts before letting it be. There's really no other way to say it so... If Chris Tiu, former captain of the SMART Gilas men's national baskteball team, Ateneo Blue Eagle, magazine coverboy, posterboy, TV host, barangay kagawad and entrepreneur, wants in to the PBA, then there's no other time in but now.

Most of his Gilas teammates have moved on to the pros and enjoyed much success (JVee Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz) and even carried their respective fanbases with them. Tiu, ever the patriot, opted to stick it out with the Gilas team believing he'll still be an integral part of it (read: play heavy minutes) regardless of coach, teammates and other unseen factors.

Problem was, once Coach Chot Reyes took over for the sacked Rajko Toroman, Tiu faced even stiffer competition by virtue of the PBA veterans that were all set to join in.

Thank You Chot

Coach Chot: Fashion
and basketball-forward

We all have a disliking for outgoing Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters head coach Chot Reyes be it his maddening borderline metrosexual fashion sense, the way he carries himself like most Ateneans (you know this via that cocky, sense of self-entitlement/ "better than you" demeanor) or the way he complains to the referees and milks every single call that doesn't favor his beloved team.

But beyond all that douchery, from a strictly basketball sense, there's been no one quite like Coach Chot in the last two to three years. He has effectively redeemed himself from a disappointing stint with the Philippine National Team a few years ago. Working his ass off day and night to augment his coaching philosophies by virtue of playing a relentless, run and gun style that shares the wealth among his superstar-laden roster which is easier said than done.

Star complex or poor coaching?

Should Ato step aside for Rajko?

The Petron Blaze Boosters were once again on the losing end of a crucial PBA Governors Cup semifinals game, this time bowing to their rivals Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters 103-94. Though they made a mini-rally in the third quarter, the game was never really theirs as the Texters regrouped in the fourth to salvage the victory.

Going into the conference, hell, the season even, the Boosters were pretty much pencilled in to make continuous deep playoff runs behind its unmatched roster. While the Texters enjoy a bevy of elite and athletic Fil-Ams, they still have holes to fill as far as getting a true small forward and center are concerned. The Boosters? They have two interchangeable starting units that was only strengthened when they brought in rookie Marcio Lassiter and the returning Dondon Hontiveros this conference.

The Petron Puzzle

Pinoy LeBron: He's back.
But is it a good thing?

For such a stacked team, the Petron Blaze Boosters' current placing on the PBA Governor's Cup standings would make one reconsider if they really have the league's best-- in terms of players, coaches and overall make-up.

As far as firepower is concerned, it doesn't get any better than the likes of Alex Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Dondon Hontiveros and Jay Washington. On defense, you have elite-level guys like FEU buddies Denok Miranda and Arwind Santos, and the usually steady Noy Baclao (if he could ever find minutes for himself consistently).

Still, they are under performing and losing to teams who don't even feature a quarter of the Boosters' star-power.

Chot Reyes’ Redemption Tour starts NOW

Chot Reyes
SMART Gilas  2 Head Coach 

It’s official.

After months of speculation (media and fans) and preparation (for those directly involved), Chot Reyes has officially been named head coach of the SMART Gilas Men’s Basketball program. Succeeding Serbian Rajko Toroman, this will be Reyes 2nd time at the helm after a disastrous 2007 campaign wherein the country finished 9th in the FIBA-Asia.

Reyes will be vacating his post as multi-titled coach at Talk ‘n’ Text to give way to Norman Black of Ateneo de Manila University after the UAAP season (can’t let anything get in the way of that elusive five-peat now).