[FIBA] Win For All; Gilas 2023 triumphs over Lebanon

Photo: philstar.com

"Win For All."

The new FIBA World Cup tagline couldn't be any more fitting to our very own Gilas men's national basketball team, from having to go through so much off-court drama and uncertainties the last few years to finally appear to have a united front thanks to the 100% buy-in of the San Miguel group.

Because let us all be honest here, there are two basketball powerhouses in the country, be it on the professional or collegiate levels: the mighty San Miguel (SMC) and the MVP squad, which has been funding Gilas for the last decade or so. And though they may not openly say it, they are indeed the fiercest of rivals, so much so that making in-house talent (players and coaches) available wasn't always the easiest of tasks to accomplish.

That is until something magical happened last year. First, more San Miguel contracted players were made available to Gilas. Next, the group's crown jewel of a tactician, Barangay Ginebra's Tim Cone, was allowed to serve as consultant/ strategist for Gilas coach Chot Reyes. This, after the unceremonious exit of Tab Baldwin a few months prior, was nothing short of disastrous in terms of all things Gilas.

#NarvasaResign

Man on fire
(photo courtesy of Rappler,com)

It has been a while, and we are quite thankful that there are some of you who still patronize this page and digest whatever understanding of Philippine basketball we have to offer despite the dwindling number of entries.

We have apologized quite a few times already, so there is no point in adding yet another paragraph just to do so. Long story short: life happens.

That being said, PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa has recently come under fire after 1) approving a "lopsided" trade that sent the 2017 PBA Draft 1st pick Christian Standhardinger to the San Miguel Beermen and 2) revealing that it was TNT personnel Magnum Membrere who processed Standhardinger's Draft Application, which put TNT under a bad light obviously.

For flag and country

Against all odds
(Photo credit to the owner)

While we do not condone the actions of those who begged off from being part of the Gilas 3 men's basketball team, we cannot and will not crucify them for it either

As we have previously mentioned, we will just keep moving forward with the names that we have. From top to bottom, "PBA wish list" aside, we are looking at Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Gary David, Dondon Hontiveros, Matt Rosser, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood, JC Intal, Ranidel de Ocampo, Troy Rosario, Moala Tautuaa, Aldrech Ramos, Sonny Thoss, Asi Taulava and Andray Blatche.

You could throw in retired/unretired Jimmy Alapag, and you are looking at 16 proud and willing basketball players who should be celebrated rather than questioned.

You're on your own

"Where my teammates at?!"
(Photo credits to the owner)

Sound the alarm.

We only have a few weeks left before the FIBA Asia - 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic qualifying tournament opens in China in September 5. That being said, while other Asian teams have already declared their intended pool and rosters (even participating in several tune-up tournaments as of this printing) we Filipinos could only wonder who's going to even be invited to Gilas camp headed by coach Tab Baldwin.

Here are some of the things we've heard so far: there's a concern among non MVP teams regarding the whole "lend us your players or face media backlash" ploy. Which doesn't help that they (the Gilas heads) have already been accused at one point or another of whispering sweet nothings into the ears of the players that were loaned to them (hello, L.A. Tenorio). Which also doesn't help the fact that we're asking teams to lend their employees, who they pay for and take care of, to play elsewhere-- FREE and risk getting hurt and so on.

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.

#TankSoHard

Too good to be tanking, yes?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The best thing to ever happen to Blackwater Elite's Marcus Douthit this PBA Governor's Cup, is the 2015 South East Asian Games where he is on loan to the Gilas Pilipinas team.

That's it.

Is he (still) paying for the sins of that disastrous post FIBA World Gilas stint in Korea? Wherein he bore the brunt of the blame, for being unable to do an Andray Blatche and basically carry a fatigued and injury-riddled team to a medal finish? Why on earth did he sign up with the Elite in the first place? Oh, yeah, the Team MVP ties which is becoming as clear as the team's bootleg Talk'n'Text jerseys.

We feel that Leo Isaac can coach in the PBA. We feel that Douthit (43 mpg 2- ppg 13 rpg 3 apg) still has some gas left in the tank.

Reinventing the PBA All Star Game

Here's something for all you fantasy basketball lovers out there and in a way, to "revitalize" the PBA All Star Weekend and increase the stakes a bit: a pocket tournament that will feature the best that all of the league's factions have to offer.

We all know that there are two major forces that is moving the PBA: Team San Miguel Corporation (San Miguel, Ginebra, Purefoods) and Team Manny V. Pangilinan (Talk'n'Text, Meralco, NLEX). We also know that there are two full-fledged independent teams in Alaska and Rain or Shine while rumors are rampant about how Barako Bull and GlobalPort are both farm teams looking to sell its prized players to the highest bidder. And since the jury's still out on newcomers Blackwater and Kia (plus they don't really have top-tier talent at the moment), we opted to include them into the "farm" All Stars.

Hope this fun little boredom-killer of a post gets you excited and who knows, it might just be picked up by the pros as a possible money-making machine. Because seriously, who really wants to see the "North" play against the "South?" Might as well just rename it to "Manila-Pampanga et. al. vs Cebuanos and friends."

Two can play at that game

Just the other day it was announced that long-time Team MVP affiliate/ Gilas Pilipinas reinforcement Marcus Douthit was going to suit up for Blackwater Elite in lieu of the injured Chris Charles in the newly-opened PBA Commissioner's Cup.

How easy it was to acquire Douthit's services, who has gone on media to openly admit that he's not in game shape, is not the issue here. It's the team he plays for, and the uniforms that they've suddenly gone on to wear this conference that's a bit bothersome.

You may call us out for counting our chickens before they hatch here, but those blue and yellow colors do not exactly fit the "BLACKWater Elite" mold now does it? They wore black, white and red last conference, much like their product colors, so where on earth did this yellow and blue print come from?

Did Team MVP finally do it?

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?

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.

Don't call it a comeback

Danny Ildefonso has found a new home in the PBA.

The former two-time PBA Most Valuable Player, now near the twilight of his illustrious basketball career, was left homeless early in the on-going PBA Philippine Cup after his team of xx years-- the Petron Blaze Boosters (former San Miguel Beermen) decided not to renew his contract. To his rescue are the Boosters' umbrella corporation rivals, Team Manny V. Pangilinan by way of the Meralco Bolts which were lacking in skilled, post players.

In a match seemingly made in heaven, Ildefonso had a successful debut last Saturday for the Bolts (winning 92-88 in overtime over the Air21 Express) finishing with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on top of setting brilliant screens and picks for his shooters and just working like the skilled veteran he is off-the-ball.

Your Bullish Ways

Lastimosa has proven rather solid
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Six games into the PBA Philippine Cup, we can now dismiss any and all alibis and arguments made by the Barako Bull Energy Cola camp as to why they did what they did in the 2013 PBA Draft.

“Win now?”

The Energy Cola are currently on a four-game losing streak, pushing the team to the bottom of the standings with a 2-4 slate—just a win better than sister team Air21 Express. The 2013 PBA rookies that they could’ve landed, namely Terrence Romeo, R.R. Garcia and Nico Salva, are doing wonders for GlobalPort Batang Pier. The names that they got in return are either injured or PBA journeymen/ role players at best.

But still we gave head coach Bong Ramos and his motley crew a chance—a chance to prove themselves after having the misfortune of going to a powerhouse, “dog-eat-dog” team.

No more drama (?)

Uh-oh. They're bringing the "back hand slap" back!
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

Picking up where they left off pre-choke gate, the Petron Blaze Boosters are humming like a well-oiled machine (sorry, couldn't help it) in the on-going PBA Governor's Cup with an impressive 4-1 win-loss slate.

Newly-installed head coach Gee Abanilla and co. have done a tremendous job in evening out the minutes and assigning roles in their solid nine-man rotation which features import Elijah Millsap, Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos as their steady 30+ minutes guys to end-guy Chico Lanete playing for about 12. This, after former coach Olsen Racela would constantly introduce change looking for a "winning line-up" once they were without NBAer Renaldo Balkman (Millsap is good, but there's a reason he has yet to make an NBA season roster).

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.

Barangay Overkill. Much.

Dugong Pinoy...
...Lahing Ginebra?

What happens if Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, now blessed with 6"9 athlete Japeth Aguilar, is able to somehow pry veteran 6"9 Fil-Tonggan Asi Taulava from the hands of Team MVP?

Then it only solidifies our claim that this team has nowhere been near it's given "underdog" moniker not since reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa's blonde-bombing rookie year (when they actually played guys named Ronald Magtulis and Banjo Calpito heavy minutes). Never say die? How can a team that is supposed to win big be "never say die?" The new battle cry should be "play to your standards" if anything.

Seriously, why Ginebra is still in hot pursuit of an aging role player is beyond us. Aside from Aguilar, they already have little (if not mis-)used players such as Rico Maierhofer, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson, Rudy Hatfield and not to mention the resurgent Kerby Raymundo.

Is Olsen safe?

Life was probably simpler for Coach O
back when he was playing

In case you haven't already heard, there's a "coaching re-organization" reportedly in the works within the San Miguel Corporation ranks. This, after the abrupt dismissal of Gee Abanilla as head coach of the De La Salle Green Archers in the collegiate ranks (which is banked by Danding Cojuangco of Team SMC).

Some circles say that Abanilla is on his way to playing a role for one of Team SMC's PBA ballclubs, another  have him being given the boot because of a lackluster coaching job in a recently concluded pocket tournament.  How this affects Racela is simple: either Abanilla (or someone flying under the radar) is out to get his spot or as shown with Cojuangco's patience for the former DLSU coach, Racela is next to go given his so-so performance as head coach of the Petron Blaze Boosters in the PBA.

But what did they really expect when they handed Racela the head coaching gig?

Room for Arwind

Disrupting Gilas Pilipinas’ hard-earned and –fought chemistry would be the last thing we’d like to do. Hell, even dividing the online (hardcore) Pinoy basketball community is not something we wake up wanting to do either. But if there’s anything that the recently concluded PBA All Star Game showed, it’s that Gilas might be missing a superstar (or two) in its fold.

We don’t have to discuss the history and all the drama in detail, we know the back story more or less: “The Silent War,” “One player per team,” and “Injured or risk of injury.” Oh, and there’s also the “we’ve done our part before, so let’s see the rest do theirs” shtick.

Of the PBA All Stars that competed last Sunday night, Petron Blaze’s Arwind Santos stood out with his double-double effort of 27 points, 13 rebounds and 2 steals in 40 minutes of action.

Chito Salud, my new basketball hero

Saludo kami sayo Kume!

While Renaldo Balkman, Arwind Santos and the San Miguel Corporation continue to grab headlines with what has transpired the last few days, we should all take a step back, step out of our alliances and weigh things with a clearer state of mind.

We cannot help but continue to be impressed and in awe of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud; with the decision he made and the stiff penalties that he meted out just yesterday. We all knew that there would be hell to pay, even Balkman was aware of it, and when it was finally handed down there was just no escaping it. Some fans cheered while others jeered. The decision to fine Balkman and ban him "for life" was definitely far from being popular. But it was needed. We're not saying that it was the honest to goodness, "right" thing to do, but it was JUST.

Why can't we be friends

"Una siya naging akin!"
(Photo courtesy of Spin.Ph)

And just when we thought that at least for a conference, we've seen the end (or stoppage) of the dreaded (slightly over-rated) Petronovela starring the Petron Blaze Boosters, we are treated to a meltdown of epic proportions that have even PBA legends barking and back on some Internet headline.

We're talking about what transpired between the Boosters' team captain Arwind Santos and import Renaldo Balkman in the dying seconds of a loss to the Alaska Aces. In case you have yet to see it, the Aces were up by seven with under a minute to go with no signs of a miracle comeback courtesy of the Boosters. Balkman proceeded to give up a duty foul on Aces counterpart Rob Dozier, then went storming off to the nearest zebra (re: referee) he could find and unload on.

And boy oh boy did he ever.

The Silent War Dream Match

Who's the #1 PG in the PBA?

Just for fun and since most of the teams are on hiatus save for the PBA GovCup finalists Rain or Shine and BMeg, this writer has always wanted to tackle a big "what if" scenario starring the country's two basketball powerhouses-- Team MVP and Team San Miguel.

While both have ransacked the league of major names in hopes of trumping the other-- to the point that they'd even hold out "sponsored" amateur players/ investments from entering the league if there was a possibility that he'd land on a non-Team MVP/SMC squad, both parties have been nothing short of exemplary in their conduct so far. Yes, there's "The Silent War," but that's pretty much it so far. Silent. Just a healthy game of business one-upsmanship and letting one team have its day in the limelight (MVP) while the other rebuilds (SMC).

Since we've been treated to two awesome basketball spectacles in a span of two years (SMART NBA All Stars vs PBA All Stars/ SMART Gilas and the PLDT All Stars vs the PBA 90s Hall of Famers), how about a match pitting Team SMC's best versus their Team MVP counterparts? For parity's sake, this should be held at the Ynares Center. Or even the Cuneta Astrodome. Hah.