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.

Contingency Plan

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
(Photo credit to the owner)

Today marks the very first time that we will be able to see (or at the very least, read about) a proud 17-man pool of legitimate PBA All Stars worthy of the Gilas Pilipinas jersey practicing together. Not to say that those who came before them were not up to par, but to be very blunt about it some guys were there only because player A or B was not allowed by their ball club.

Well, the league has made it known that they are all in on this one.

Players from San Miguel Corporation-- San Miguel Beer, STAR, Ginebra, now offer no alibis or excuses. Players who were held back because of nasty, piracy rumors, are now reporting for duty with no more drama whatsoever coming from anyone. Here is your Gilas OQT 17 man pool:

MVP June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel Beer; Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; Paul Lee, Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine; Jayson Castro, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Troy Rosario, Ranidel De Ocampo and Ryan Reyes of Talk ‘N Text; Marc Pingris and Ian Sangalang of Star; Calvin Abueva of Alaska and Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort.

Now if that isn't all star and world class enough for you, then we don't know what to tell you really.

#ThankYouKuyaMarcus

Gilas I is Douthit
(Photo credit to PhilStar.com)

For all the on and off court success enjoyed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' Gilas men's basketball program, we wouldn't fault the casual fan if they thought that it has always been this way form the very start.

Because quite honestly, it wasn't.

It took the addition of 6"11 US NCAA Division 1 standout Marcus Douthit of the Providence College Friars to get the program going from "just another basketball team" to "Asian basketball powerhouse" somewhere around 2009 to 2010.

See, the Gilas program was initially meant to do away with hastily forming a PBA All Star team whenever an international meet would come up. Most of the players who signed up for the program were fresh out of college: Mark Barroca, JVee Casio, Dylan Ababou, Mac Baracael and Chris Tiu. They then added some more names such as Japeth Aguilar, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, but overall they were a bunch of snot-nosed college kids being asked to reclaim Asian basketball supremacy for the Philippines-- even if they were coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman.

Quite the tall order, really.

Saging lang ang may puso

Hindi ko na kayang itago yung pagkadismaya ko sa mga paborito nating koponan at manlalaro sa PBA kaya kesa pagandahin ko pa sa wikang Ingles, sa sariling wika na lang natin isulat ang lahat. Para mas maintindihan ninyo ang pagkainis naming mga Pilipino. At para malaman na lang din ng lahat na may pakailam din naman po kami sa Gilas Pilipinas, sa estatura ng basketball sa bansa at kung paano tayo makaka angat muli sa mundo-- o kahit papaano, sa Asya man lang.

Eto ang alam ko: hindi tayo makaaangat, o mas liliit ang ating pag-asa kung hindi natin ipadadala yung mga nararapat. Kung hindi natin ipadadala yung pasok sa sistema. Kung hindi natin padadala yung naturingan pinaka magaling sa bansa.

Oo, hindi All Star team kundi National team ang dapat nating buoin. Pero kingina naman, andyan na e. Nanalo na tayo noon. Silver. Pilak. Ang sarap pare. Bakit pa tayo bababa ulit? Bakit kailangan basagin pa natin ulit yung andyan na, sasaksakan na lang natin ng mas magagandang mga piyesa?

Hindi na naman pwede magpahiram. O sige, pwede, pero iisa lang. Naka-sama pa ata. Dati, San Miguel lang ang may ganoong pautot. Ngayon, sumali na din yung Rain or Shine. Alaska din pero nagiba ata ng timpla, pwede ng dalawa.

Sa naulat, eto yung mga imbitado na at pawang kumpirmado mag ensayo: Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Matt Rosser, Larry Fonacier, Cliff Hodge, Kelly Williams, Jared Dillinger at Gary David. Yung mga may konting pabebe pa, sila Terrence Romeo, Dondon Hontiveros, Sonny Thoss at Beau Belga.

Asaan yung Marcio Lassiter? Yung L.A. Tenorio daw pinayagan. Si Junemar Fajardo injured daw. Si Greg Slaughter wag na yun, bagal nun. Si Calvin Abueva? James Yap? Si Chris Lutz? Alex Cabagnot? Asaan yung mga superstars? Paul Lee? Gabe Norwood? Jeff Chan?

Ano to, last minute na naman? Kelangan binyagan si bagong Kume Chito Narvasa, at siya naman magmakaawa sa mga teams na baka pwedeng unahin ang Gilas?

Asaan na yung #Puso natin? Bakit pahirapan na lang lagi kung magpapahiram para sa bayan? Hindi naman ganito noon a? Yung hinawakan ni Yeng Guiao na Powerade Pilipinas, samut sari din naman sila noon a. Wala naman issue. Kasi Team MVP ang sponsor? Kingina naman. Bakit, pag ka Team SMC ang sponsor, sigurado kayo na hindi din sila mamimirata? Pera pera lang din naman iyan di ba?

#Puso hindi #Bulsa

#Bayan hindi #Sarili

Dear Beau

(Photo courtesy of Sports5.ph)

Idol, kamusta ka na?

Sana mabuti ang kalagayan mo matapos yung matinding bugbugan nung nakaraang PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. May dinadaing ka ba na injury? Nagiba kasi yung laro mo matapos yung Ginebra SMASH game. Parang lumugar ka lang bigla ulit, nawala yung idol namin. Papitik pitik, pasundot sundot, pero halos hindi naramdaman. Sa Finals? Habang naghahari yung pagkalaki laking import ng TNT at minamama yung mga kakampi mo, ikaw yung inaasahan ng Bayan ng RoS na reresbak para sa amin.

Pero asaan ka ba nun?

#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.

PBACC The Finals: Rain or Shine vs Talk'n'Text

The Blur vs Angas ng Tondo
(Photo credits to the owner)

It was but only a matter of time before the Rain or Shine Elastopainters and Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters met anew in a stage as big as the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

And we are not saying that simply because they finished one (RoS) and two (TNT) at the end of the conference's Elimination round. No, we are saying that because of the simple fact that both teams feature the most number of players that were loaned to the Gilas Pilipinas basketball program: Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, now team manager Jimmy Alapag and (at one point) Kelly Williams for TNT and Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Jeffrei Chan and Beau Belga for RoS.

Which basically means that we will get to see how far the above-mentioned players have come, thanks to the extended, rigorous and taxing international training and exposure that they have all enjoyed. Though TNT enjoys a slight advantage of course, since their brain thrust (coaching staff, managers, scouts, etc.) ARE Gilas Pilipinas.

And though we are proud RoS fans, we will try our very best to breakdown the series and come up with a logical and reasonable fearless forecast.

Let's go:

The Ineligibles

Arguably one of the best Fil-Am talent
out there (he's in the NBA!)
but unfortunately, #FIBAineligible

With the local media trying its very best to squeeze any buzz out of Los Angeles Lakers' Filipino-American rookie Jordan Clarkson recent comments that he would "love to represent the Philippines," it should be noted that under current FIBA rules, he is ineligible to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas 3.0 or any version that comes after until that FIBA rule is amended.

Sorry to burst your bubble folks.

Just a few minutes ago, former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes went on Twitter to post how simple it is for families living overseas who are seriously considering having their sons play for us:





Of course, this is easier said than done since this information is probably not passed on to every single Overseas-based Filipino family. Chances are, they'll only learn about this when their sons start making waves in the basketball scene (wherever they are) which is almost, always when it's too late (because we don't really see any 10-15 year old kids being scouted at such an early, under-developed age owing to all the logistics and financing needed for it).

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?

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?

#Puso

A win and two losses.

Gilas Pilipinas needs to win their remaining assignments (while hoping for the very best) in the ongoing 2014 Asian Games basketball tournament after losing back to back games in two straight days. How quickly this team gets its act together and move on from all the internal strife and drama will ultimately determine if #Puso is a proud battle cry or just another clever marketing campaign (that’s being milked until the mythical cow’s utters bleed dry IMHO).

How did we get here? Why are people going on lengthy Twitter threads about Gilas’ coaches and or players? Why does Gilas head coach Chot Reyes almost, always throw his wards under the bus after bad games—feelings, mental stability and focus be damned?

The win over India was expected. They’re a young, promising team that’s built on length and shooting but maybe a few more tournaments away from doing some real damage. The loss against Iran was painful because we were so close to actually exorcising our Haddadi demons.

But this one, against Qatar, well, let’s go back to the Iran game first shall we?

Gilas Pilipinas' defense takes spotlight vs Asia's Best

Gilas Pilipinas' Junemar Fajardo
in 2014 Asian Games action
(Photo courtesy of Conzace)

Gilas Pilipinas forward Marc Pingris and naturalized center Marcus Douthit battle for possession against an Indian defender in Tuesday’s 2014 Asian Games action in Incheon South Korea. The Filipinos dominated the Indian squad, 85-76, to book their first win of the tournament.

Fresh from the rousing success of notching the Philippines’ first win in 40 years in the FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas takes on yet another formidable task as it squares up against Asia’s elite basketball squads at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Focus immediately shifted on how Gilas Pilipinas’ defensive tenacity will translate to wins and eventually advance the entire nation’s dreams of capturing a gold medal at the Asian Games. This came shortly after the Filipino squad kicked off their Asiad campaign with an 85-76 demolition of India last Tuesday. Once again, the team showcased its patented #LabanKungLaban defense, as it torched the opposition from the opening buzzer and never looked back until the final seconds of the match to book its first win.

From Spain to Korea

Gilas Pilipinas embarks yet on another historic journey following their moral victory-filled campaign in the recently concluded 2014 FIBA World Cup tournament-- this time in beautiful Incheon, Korea as part of the 2014 Asian Games.

By now, you've probably heard of Gilas' little debacle concerning 2014 FIBA World Cup reinforcement Andray Blatche and of how he will not be suiting up for the team in Korea owing to a technicality. In his place is resident Gilas' import Marcus Douthit, who'll have to (re)convince the entire Filipino basketball community that though he's not at par with the offensively-gifted Blatche, he can still get the job done.

Now, because of the way our team performed against some of the World's best basketball teams, it's easy to fall into the trap of expecting an instant medal finish-- hell, a gold even being that we're the only Asian team that wasn't blown out by more than 15 points in a single game the entire 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Don't.

If only... fantasy Gilas Pilipinas

While our hard-fighting Gilas Pilipinas team was battling it out against the much heralded Croatian team, a familiar face was watching the game live from the stands. A face, that has become the ticket meal of the entire PBA the last few years, the iconic face that belongs to one James Carlos Yap.

Two-time PBA Most Valuable Player, recently crowned grand slam champion.

Unfortunately, he wasn't on the hard court helping the national cause. No, he had to buy a ticket to the game much like every one else in attendance. You could defend his or his management's decision all you want, but we here live by one simple rule: if you're going to battle the best, then you have to send your very best.

Yap and his 2x PBA MVP award is proof that he definitely belongs on Gilas.

Laban Pilipinas

Mamaya lamang ay magsisimula na ang pinakamalaking kampanya ng ating Pilipinas men's basketball team sa 2014 FIBA World Cup. Bagamat tanggap na ng sambayanan na halos saling pusa lang tayo sa torneyo at makikigulo lang sa unang bahagi ng kompetisyon, dapat natin tandaan na sa basketball, walang imposible. Ung mga paborito at dehado, minsan, nagkakabaligtaran ng nilalarong posisyon. Minsan, ung dehado, nakakanakaw. Nakakabulag. Sa basketball, ang sarap mangarap. Ang sakit matalo, pero ang sarap mangarap.

Jimmy Alapag. LA Tenorio. Paul Lee. Jayson Castro. Gary David. Jeffrei Chan. Gabe Norwood. Marc Pingris. Ranidel de Ocampo. Japeth Aguilar. Junemar Fajardo. Andray Blatche. Chot Reyes.

Larry Fonacier, Marcus Douthit at ang mga iba pang naging bahagi ng kampanyang ito.

Ang Angas ng Pilipinas

Hindi lang ito tungkol kay Paul Lee, na siyang nag hatid sa Pilipinas ng kauna unahang  medalya ng bansa sa FIBA Asia Cup na ginanap sa Wuhan, China kontra sa home team.

Tungkol ito kay head coach Chot Reyes at sa mga players na sina L.A. Tenorio, Kevin Alas, Garvo Lanete, Gary David, Jared Dillinger, Jay Washington, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Beau Belga, Junemar Fajardo at Marcus Douthit.

May mga pagkakataon na parang hindi naka angkla sa panalo ang koponang binansagan natin na Gilas Pilipinas. Minsan, parang naglolokohan lang sila. Minsan, parang wala ung kumpyansa at tiwala sa sarili. Minsan, parang payag sila na matalo na lang ng basta basta at isugal ang pangalan ng bansa.

Papunta naman na tayo ng Espanya, bakit pa nga ba magpapakahirap?

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.