The Blueprint

Photo credit: ESPN.com

In 2008, Gilas Pilipinas was officially unveiled by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) led by some of the country's most optimistic and brilliant basketball minds. They recruited top college basketball stars led by Chris Tiu and JVee Casio, they sought out foreign-based prodigies like Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, and offered a home for the then NBA-seeking 6"9 wunderkind Japeth Aguilar.

They also brought in Rajko Toroman, fresh from helping reshape the Iranian Men's Basketball Team into an Asian Basketball Powerhouse, to serve as the team's initial head coach. The team was backed by SBP and SMART Telecommunications, Inc., which meant that it did not have to reach out to the Philippine Basketball Association, its' teams, or the many "Godfathers" if you will, since they already have a big time player in the mix, one, Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan.

The Future

The kids are all right (photo: Spin.ph)

Just earlier this evening, the Ateneo-led, all-amateur Gilas Pilipinas Men's Basketball Team is flying out to Belgrade, Serbia to compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers. The team will be facing off against the hometown heroes and later on against the Domincan Republic. To say that this will be a tall order, would probably fit the bill both figuratively and literally.

So what are the expectations so far? 

Well, it would be nice if our boys could salvage a win, or at the very least, keep in step with these teams that are bringing in legitimate NBA players (Serbia has three to four if I remember correctly, including the titan-sized Boban Marjanovic).

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this team in the recent Clark Bubble. Sure, Tab Baldwin's back as the full time head coach, but they were missing some U.P. firepower by the names of Kobe Paras and Juan Gomez De Liano. To make up for this, they brought in more guys from Ateneo, while adding in representatives from DLSU and FEU. You'll have to forgive us for not being all too familiar with these kids outside of those who've already played a year in college. 

2019 PBA Draft Reactions - The Gilas 5

Gilas 2023
(Photo: ABS CBN Sports)

Here's what we know, based on facts:

The official announcement was posted on PBA.ph on December 5, just three days away from the actual 2019 PBA Draft which up to that point, was really not enjoying any buzz be it on the airwaves or on social media. See, the PBA Draft is the PBA's lifeblood in more ways than one. Not only are teams getting new players, but they are also counting on the new (old) fans of the aforementioned to jump in. As in previous years, you've got established college stars who enjoy massive followings entering the Draft and all of a sudden, their teams enjoy an increase in following. Best case study of course if Chris Tiu of THE Ateneo, who Rain or Shine picked years ago and voila, all of a sudden RoS had a lot of Tiu-pporters up to his last game.

Is that a thing? Tiu-pporters? Or are they really (blasphemously) known as Iglesia ni Chris Tiu?

Anyway, back to the PBA GILAS Draft.



Somehow, someway, the PBA, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the MVP group all met eye-to-eye and agreed that if we are to prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup which we will be co-hosting, then now's the time. We honestly don't know who selected these players, if it were entirely up to Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin (who is credited as the Sports Director), or if it were done by a panel-- and if the PBA teams were consulted and gave their nods.

So, again, based on facts, here's what we know for sure: The 5 Gilas picks will be signed to SBP contracts for the next 3 years. They will train with Gilas (we don't know where, might be in the ABL or pocket tournaments) with the SBP given the option to allow them to play for the PBA teams that drafted them at any point within the 3 years. They could play next season, or maybe not at all. The PBA teams have the rights to these players, but that's really not saying a lot given that we've seen 1st overall picks being traded for almost nothing.

Also, there's no guarantee of all five being starting players on the Gilas 2023 team. There's no guarantee that they'll even be part of Gilas by 2024. We've seen some Gilas I 'investments' that didn't really pan out the way we'd hope for (i.e. Jason Ballesteros), but for the most part we're truly hoping for the best for these guys.

Our reactions:

1. Columbian - Isaac Go, C
Going into the Draft, Gilas or not, Go was already being penciled in as the Number 1 overall pick. Personally we had our reservations (still do), but in today's PBA game dominated by a 5x PBA MVP who also happens to be a 6"10 giant, there's a premium on getting quality bigs. Go is far from being dominant based on his college and amateur stats, but he does have a lot of positives overall as a token role-playing big man with a soft touch. This could very well work into Go's favor, as the 3 years could help him really develop his game the way the above-mentioned multiple time MVP suited up for an ABL team first (and playing sparingly behind imports and Asi Taulava). Go can run, rebound, shoot open jumpers and use his frame to set solid screens. Right now, we view him as a soft Doug Kramer, which is big considering Kramer made a name for himself as a well-tenured big man in the pros.

2. Blackwater - Rey Suerte, SG
Blackwater needs firepower, and so does any basketball team. Suerte fits the bill as an explosive scorer who can get shots up in a hurry. Time spent with Gilas would be of great benefit as he can continue working on his weaknesses specially on the defensive end.

3. NLEX - Matt Nieto, PG
Based on what we've heard and read from just about everyone, Nieto will be this team's Chris Tiu. Maybe not the face (yet, because that's sure to be Kobe lol), but the 6"1 guard will be running the offense and should it be Tab Baldwin's system, he's already way ahead of the learning curve.

4. Alaska - Alyn Bulanadi, SG
Gilas I had Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter. Gilas 2023 will have Suerte and Bulanadi on opposite sides of the wing. Both need work defensively, and maybe add a bit of weight, but a 3-year program where they'll be tested versus international competition should more than make up for it.

5. Rain or Shine - Mike Nieto, SF 
We're big fans of this kid though he wasn't used as much at ADMU. We saw him play (with his twin) back in HS, so we know that they can ball out. Might not be the fasters or most athletic, but like Matt Mike is well-rounded and can hold his own defensively. Honestly speaking, the twins are proto-type Euro-like players. Or, if you want something closer to home, they can be groomed to look and play like our neighboring Korean rivals who are wide-bodied, skilled and quick in the guard positions.

Your thoughts? @kilikilishot on Twitter or leave a comment :)

The 2016 PBA Gilas Mock Draft

Graduation Day
(Photo credit to the owner)

The 2016 PBA Draft slated for this October 30 is going to be quite… entertaining, since we have been promised TWO rookie draft proceedings. The first one will be the traditional rookie draft with all the hopefuls while the other will feature 12 players from the Gilas Pool picked by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas head Al Panlilio.

We will just have to trust in the SBP and Mr. Panlilio that he will make the best players available and not try to hide this guy or that guy somewhere (as Gilas has a working pool of 24 college players as far as we remember). After all, the SBP brain-thrust is still largely Team MVP while the 2016 PBA Draft, and even the order of the special draft, rewards Team SMC more than anyone else.

That is not a knock on the SBP, Mr. Panlilio, or Team MVP, but rather an acceptance of the current basketball landscape. These Gilas players after all are not only prized college standouts, but “assets” that have already benefited from several trainings and exposure both here and overseas so you can understand if Team MVP is not too keen on sharing their “living investments.”

SPECIAL DRAFT ORDER

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.

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.

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."

The kids are all right

Alas & co vs South East Asia
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

With the mainstream collegiate basketball season almost at its end, the focus now shifts on the coming 27th South East Asian Games (December 11 to 22, to be held in Myanmar) where the Philippines is favored to dominate the sport anew.

Already announced to call the shots is Meralco Bolts assistant coach Jong Uichico (who, at this point in his career, is really over-qualified for the job but hey) to be aided by Far Eastern University’s brain thrust Nash Racela and Josh Reyes. Naturalized center Marcus Douthit will also suit up which pretty much guaran-damn-tees us to be one of the medal favorites.

When Silver really means Gold

Asia's best big man
meets Asia's best little man
(Photo courtesy of InterAKTV)

Words cannot express how euphoric Gilas Pilipinas’ magical run en route to the FIBA Asia Finals was. The goal was simple and clear: to put Philippine basketball back on the map. To have our Asian brethren recognize that we are, and have always been, a formidable opponent on the hard court if not for a just suspension brought about by local megalomaniacs and sycophants who couldn’t let go.

We lost our stranglehold on Asia’s Top 5 somewhere at the start of the new millennium, the Middle and Western teams rose into power while we were putting up a circus back home. We didn’t know if our players were progressing or not, because we weren’t looking outside. But once the suspension was lifted, our eyes were opened. Asia has closed the gap—Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, teams that we used to dismiss decades ago (or at the very least, not worry about as much as we do China and Korea), hell, they not only closed the gap but they happily kicked us off the Top5- Top 10 even.

But through the unified efforts spearheaded by Manny V. Pangilinan et. al., Pilipinas basketball is back.