Where's Our Daddy?

Photo courtesy of The Philippine Star

Big Daddy Marcus Eugene Douthit that is.

Three games into the FIBA Asia 2013 and it seems clear that we are not looking at the same Marcus Douthit of Gilas Pilipinas past. Averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds, Douthit needs to be more assertive in the paint if we are to make it through the next rounds and even win over top tier competition.

Ginto na naging bato pa for Gilas

Fonacier on fire in the 3rd

We had a 13 point lead going into the final canto of arguably the most emotionally-fueled game of the first round given the off-court, political drama versus Chinese Taipei.

And somehow, someway, we managed to blow it in a lengthy lull to start the 4th quarter. A lull that has been somewhat of a curse on this Gilas Pilipinas team which often leaves us to second-guess head coach Chot Reyes but then again he knows more about basketball then we do so we'll keep our "couch potato rants" under control.

After riding the hot shooting of Larry Fonacier in the 3rd quarter, everything fell apart for Gilas. The referees will find ways to impact the game for or against us. That's a given. It also helped that the Taiwanese are arguably the most skilled foul-baiting floppers this side of the world- arms flailing and all  (we wonder if they got that from being a football country-- sorry, couldn't help it). So yeah, we fell apart. Gary David, Jayson Castro and Jeffrei Chan all playing together, all great scorers, but all one-on-one guys not one of which can really call a legit play without undermining the other.

Are you not entertained?

Better yet, "are you still not impressed?"

Mr. President

Gilas Pilipinas, from head coach Chot Reyes to captain Jimmy Alapag all the way down to the designated ball boy appear to have heard the cries of disgruntled Filipino hoops fans (us included) after their subpar FIBA Asia debut. Tonight, we were treated to the brand of basketball that we've come to know this incarnation of the country's Men's basketball team. The one that kept clawing back from the hands of a possible defeat en route to the Jones Cup title a year back. The one that we've bought into, trusting that they have the best shot as any to make the medal rounds and even book a ticket to Spain.

Going into their second game in as many nights, Gilas started a bit sluggish. Adjustments were made by Coach Reyes but the Jordanians kept on drilling three after three right on our mugs despite a decent defensive stand. Gary David (who was given the greenlight to start the game) once again struggled from the field; making all the hype about him due for a breakout game have to wait for another day.

Gilas wins over KSA; fails to impress

A win's a win for Gilas Pilipinas

Debuting before a lazy yet good-sized drizzly Thursday FIBA Asia crowd, Gilas Pilipinas managed to salvage a 78-66 win over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This, after powerhouse Iran flexed its muscles with a dominant 90-point win earlier in the day.

So we didn't blow the Arabs out of the murky Manila Bay waters. Hell, we could barely make enough shots to ensure that we save face and not lose the support of the home crowd which were expecting a Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton style blowout. But as team captain and spiritual leader Jimmy Alapag said in one of his post-game interviews, "a win's a win."

Gilas Pilipinas: A matter of self-confidence

Photo courtesy of Interaksyon.com

Which Gabe Norwood will show up at the FIBA Asia tournament this August?

The one who constantly second guesses and or over analyzes every move on the hardcourt to the point of self-destruction, or the skinny St Vincent St Mary LeBron James clone we saw but glimpses of in last year's Jones Cup title run?

It's time to man up, Norwood is a skilled ball handler with an iffy jumpshot but arms the length of a pteredactyl. There are a lot of flaws in his game, but when he doesn't over think it, he is arguably just as effective as say, Calvin Abueva in Alaska's title run last Commissioner's Cup- minus the theatricality of course.

Gilas Pilipinas: Take the lead

Photo courtesy of Interaksyon.com

Following in the footsteps of all the great Filipino point guards before him, Lewis Alfred Tenorio will spearhead Gilas Pilipinas’ medal-finish dreams in the coming FIBA Asia tournament this August.

Tenorio has earned the mantle from Gilas teammate Jimmy Alapag the last two years. He is the top Filipino playmaker today given his ability to play different styles. He can play uptempo like Alapag and Alex Cabagnot, he can slow it down in the halfcourt a la Wynne Arboleda and Mike Cortez or he can even call his own number and score at will like Paul Lee and Jayjay Helterbrand.

Gilas Pilipinas: Hired gun

Photo courtesy of interaksyon.com

There's an unwritten doctrine among basketball players; of how athleticism and aerial forays are fads more than anything while shooting is one of the sports' truest art forms.

How can it not be? While flashy reverse lay-ups and rim-rattling dunks are a sight to behold, it registers just about the same amount of points as a regular jumpshot. There's a reason why the three point shot is well, worth three points. Shooting is an art form, and three points will always be better than two. Having a designated shooter is a plus for any basketball team and not having one is a curse (hello last NBA season's Philadelphia 76ers). It is the quickest way to either get back into a game or blow it wide open.

Gilas Pilipinas: The Best Damn Pinoy Big Man Today

Photo courtesy of pba-online.net

Junemar Fajardo will have his day. Sonny Thoss is getting it. Asi Taulava is a reminder of what could've been had he chosen to polish his post game and demanded for the ball like he should've. Danny Ildefonso is happy mentoring the young ones. Beau Belga is a creation of everything good about the old school enforcers and today's hybrid forward/centers.

But there is only one who can lay claim to the title of being "The Best Pinoy Big Man Today." That man is no other than 6"5 Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and Gilas Pilipinas starting forward Ranidel de Ocampo.

Gilas Pilipinas: Like no other before him

Photo courtesy of pba-online.net

Here's a question: What to make of Gilas Pilipinas' Jayson Castro?

He has proven to be quicker on the basketball court than point guards L.A. Tenorio and Jimmy Alapag, he's just as big and strong (if not bigger in mass and stronger overall) than the shooters we chose to brought in with Gary David, Jeffrei Chan and Larry Fonacier and has shown a knack for blitzing his way to the hoop with relative ease despite the odds.

We've seen transcendent talent like this before, the closest probably being Rain or Shine's Paul Lee and Barangay Ginebra's Mark Caguioa in their rookie years. When it's clear as day that you just have a guy who simply out-everythings everyone else on the court when he both mind and body are right. Castro is just as fast as the PBA's top point guards, as able as your big shot scorer and, as proven by him ripping the ball off future NBA Hall of Famer Chris Paul (one steal is a fluke, but twice? Nah, that takes real skills and we doubt Paul would've let his guard down so easily the 2nd time), is a solid one-on-one defender when called upon.

Gilas Pilipinas: The Natural

Photo courtesy of pba-online.net

His name is Marcus Douthit, and at 6"10 he is arguably the biggest yet most underscored storyline in the current renaissance enjoyed by Philippine basketball when it comes to international meets.

Time and again many have gone into detail about how incompetent our big men were down the block as compared to our Asian brethren. That despite being dominant at the local front, they're easily reduced to second-guessing fools who feel that all they have to do is concentrate on one end of the floor and leave the rest to the smaller guys.

Gilas Pilipinas: Instant offense

Photo courtesy of Interkasyon.com

Make no mistake about it, come the FIBA Asia tournament this August, Gilas Pilipinas' Gary David will be ready to drop buckets or die trying.

There is no way to go about it really, David is a scorer by trade. He puts the "shooting" in "shooting guard." He is cut from the same cloth as the likes of Vergel Meneses, Nelson Asaytono, Mark Caguioa and lately of upstarts Jericho Cruz, Kevin Alas and Terrence Romeo.

Gilas Pilipinas: True Pinoy Grit

Photo courtesy of damarre.wordpress.com

For all the stories, myths and urban legends thrown around about one Johnny Abarrientos and his exploits in the late 90s, we argue that Jimmy Alapag has earned to be mentioned in the same breath, if not higher.

The body of work, the championships and arguably our biggest Abarrientos VS Alapag tie-breaker: longevity and consistency.

But let's get to the "who's better" debate some other time. We are here to talk about Alapag, no longer in his prime and even a lock to NOT start for Gilas Pilipinas come the FIBA Asia tournament next month. His inclusion was born more out of "experience" and "familiarity" with head coach Chot Reyes' system more than actually being one of the best at his position today (he's still up there, but younger guys have slowly closed the gap-- Gilas teammate L.A. Tenorio, JVee Casio, Alex Cabagnot, Mike Cortez and Paul Lee).

Gilas Pilipinas: The Stopper

Photo courtesy of pbafans.blogspot.com

When was the first time you saw Jean Marc Pingris play basketball?

Was it with the San Mig Coffee Mixers? When he was finally lauded as the league's best defensive player once a more prized basketball peer was moved out? Was it with the BMeg Llamados when he served as the ideal complementary piece to a rising superstar triumvirate? Or was it when he was a highly touted rookie with tons of potential and athleticism rocking corn rows and sporting a huge tattoo on his bicep?

We remember the wild beast with immense swagger back in a Philippine Basketball League All Star Slam Dunk contest. At the time, Pingris had no chance of winning against legit high-flyers and basketball aerial wizards (Nino Canaleta was only good at one thing then, and that was dunking it Dr. J style). How could he? He had an obvious advantage at 6"5 with little to no effort to really dunk the basketball (we're not talking about Michael Jordan here).

Gilas Pilipinas: The Great Big Hope

Photo courtesy of Interaksyon.com

The future of Philippine basketball is in good hands.

Whatever the 6"9 Cebuano giant and Gilas Pilipinas rookie Junemar Fajardo does or brings to the table for Gilas Pilipinas in the coming FIBA Asia games-- be it backstopping Marcus Douthit as the team's main anchor or "learning" on the bench ala Japeth Aguilar in previous years (highly unlikely), rest assured that you are looking at the man that will become the pillar for Team Pilipinas just like Asi Taulava did the last decade.

Despite the presence of Douthit, Aguilar and the possible and expected rise of 7"0 Greg Slaughter, the brunt of carrying the legacy of all great Filipino big men rests on Fajardo's broad shoulders. He has the hands for it, he has the size, speed and (as proven by his quick recovery from surgery) the grit to be the country's bannerman for years to come. Are we asking that Gilas head coach Chot Reyes eschew his preferred "small ball" and even ignore Douthit on the block? No. Are we asking that Fajardo gets more touches? No.

Gilas Pilipinas: Aguilar makes the cut

Photo courtesy of pba.inquirer.net

Hear us out.

Granted, we've been one of the biggest Japeth Aguilar haters/ trollers this side of the Pinoy Hoops Internet kingdom but all in good reason. The newly-minted Barangay Ginebra San Miguel big man has often drawn our ire/ frustration/ disappointment only because we expect so much. The physical tools are undeniable, the desire to play and fearlessness is admirable-- but at this point in Aguilar's now seasoned PBA career, we want more.

It's official: Gilas Pilipinas names final 12

Photo credits: pba.inquirer.net

Ladies and gentlemen, mga kababayan, here is your Gilas Pilipinas:

Jimmy Alapag, PG

Lewis Alfred Tenorio, PG

Jayson Castro, PG/SG

Jeffrei Chan, SG

Gary David, SG

Larry Fonacier, SF

Gabe Norwood, SF

Marc Pingris, PF

Ranidel de Ocampo, PF

Japeth Aguilar, PF

Marcus Douthit, C

Junemar Fajardo, C

We will breakdown each player in our succeeding entries, stay tuned.

Don’t cry for Olsen

And then... there was none.

It’s official.

After weeks of speculation, the Petron Blaze Boosters have decided to drop rookie head coach Olsen Racela in favor of the more seasoned Gee Abanilla. This, after Racela’s failed Philippine Cup campaign and the huge “what if” that clouded the Boosters’ Commissioner’s Cup stint.

From what we’ve gathered, Racela has been moved to sister team San Mig Coffee Mixers and “demoted” to assistant coach under Hall of Famer Tim Cone and alongside his peers Johnny Abarrientos, Jeffrey Cariaso among others.

KKS final, final, FINAL Gilas Pilipinas’ 12

Break glass in case of emergency.

We're halfway done with June which could only mean that August a.k.a. "FIBA in Manila" season is just around the corner. With that, we present to you our final, final, pinaaaaaaaaaaaka-FINAL (last na to pramis) Gilas Pilipinas 12-man roster:

First Five: PG LA Tenorio/ SG Jeffrei Chan/ SF Gabe Norwood/ PF Sonny Thoss/ C Marcus Douthit

There are a lot of cases in basketball, be it local or foreign, wherein talent is enough to win games. We’ve seen it time and again, when a n actual team with a balanced roster is defeated by a rag-tag selection led by a prodigy (we don’t even have to look that far, with names such as the NBA’s Cleveland days LeBron James, pre-Big Three/ post-Shaq Dwyane Wade and pre-muscle memory injury Derrick Rose and in the Pinoy hoops scene- Meralco/GlobalPort’s Sol Mercado who was going all HAM before a trade, injury and a questionable coach derailed his Most Improved Player 2012 campaign).

Barangay Phi Slama Jama

Japeth like it's hot!

After weeks of speculation, 6"9 wunderkind Japeth Aguilar finds himself with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel-- his 4th team in a very young, up-and-down PBA career. Will he finally find a niche in Philippine hoops and breakthrough as every one hopes him to, or will he plateau as a slam dunking, sweet shooting athlete who bites at every pump fake thrown his way by guys shorter than him?

If you thought that Aguilar had everyone watching him succeed/ fail his first few years, then things are about to get even crazier from here on out.  

The Dream Match to end it all

Dream Match III: if only to see
Kiefer vs Mac/Yeo/Cortez

There you have it.

The PBA Green Archers were able to repeat versus rivals PBA Blue Eagles in this afternoon's ho-hum battle at the SM MoA Arena dubbed "Dream Match II: The Revenge." Well, if the script were to be followed, the Eagles were supposed to win this one to force a nail-biter of a third and deciding match (ala celebrated promoter Don King's brand of boxing).

But the Archers wouldn't have any of it. Mac Cardona, free from the burden of having to play a passive role with his mother team Meralco's three-ball happy Dribble Drive Offense, played like he had a score to settle with everyone from the Eagles' side of things. He dropped in threes, made his patented tear drop hook shots and even threw in some mean mug swag "anong height mo" theatrics here and there for good measure.

So should a third match be played, with the Archers now up 2-0 in this mini cash cow of a side event by the PBA? Yes. But IF and WHEN current amateur superstar known to most as "The Phenom" Keifer Ravena turns pro (or is eligible to do so).