Future Big Men Of Philippine Basketball

[JAMSKIE2]

Mark Pingris is really a one of a kind big man. Imagine a 6-foot-4 power forward/"four" being able to hold his own or even get the better against 6-foot-7/6-foot-8 Asian counterparts. Imagine how much height Ping had to give up against those taller Asian power forwards or fours. Eh yung ibang bigs ma outsized lang ng 1 or 2 inches ng kalaban eh sira na ang laro. And we're talking here of an undersized big guy whose outside shooting is non-existent.

But as I've said, Ping is a one of a kind type of a player. He's almost a generational type of a player. It would be very very dificult to find another Mark Pingris out there. Just as it would be very very difficult to find another Charles Barkley who like Pingris was also an undersized power forward yet one of the best in the planet during his era.

Pingris' toughness, energy & competitiveness are ridiculous that they more than compensate for his shortcoming in size & skills.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

4. Refined handles for a big, meaning he can go coast-to-coast or attack close-outs, similar to what Kai has shown from time to time.

Agree. A center with shaky handles would be passable, but for a four, decent handles must be a requirement.

 

[IPC2]

Another video on young bigs:

Featured are Adrian Sollano, Ramon Salvoro, Mason Amos, Seven Gagate, and Kobe Demisana.

Sollano - training as an SF; 6'7" at 16, can grow up to 6'8" or as high as 6'10"
Salvoro - training as an SF, not a traditional big
Gagate - more of an inside operator, but learning how to operate outside as well
Demisana - almost 6'9" according to the video; decent handle and passing, can operate from the perimeter; however these days just limited to drills and can't play 5v5

This YouTuber reiterated his wish for SBP to have a training camp, although it's not just for bigs.

I hope these kids eventually become Gilas material and develop to their fullest potential.

 

[alfrancis2]

Another video on young bigs:

Featured are Adrian Sollano, Ramon Salvoro, Mason Amos, Seven Gagate, and Kobe Demisana.

Sollano - training as an SF; 6'7" at 16, can grow up to 6'8" or as high as 6'10"
Salvoro - training as an SF, not a traditional big
Gagate - more of an inside operator, but learning how to operate outside as well
Demisana - almost 6'9" according to the video; decent handle and passing, can operate from the perimeter; however these days just limited to drills and can't play 5v5

This YouTuber reiterated his wish for SBP to have a training camp, although it's not just for bigs.

I hope these kids eventually become Gilas material and develop to their fullest potential.

At their young age, I could see the talent in Demisana and Amos as Gilas potentials. Both are more fluid and coordinated in their movements. Demisana can be a 6'9 stretch 4 while Amos as a versatile 6'8 forward. Gagate can also be developed into a 6'8 PF. I hope there's an U18 in the next 2 years, we can form a strong team from this group including Caelum Harris.

 

[IPC2]

Yeah, let's just focus on what we have first and developing their skills.

Local Coaches Be like: What the hell is DEVELOPMENT???? WE WILL NOT KEEP OUR JOBS BY DEVELOPING PLAYERS, WE KEEP IT BY WINNING!!!!??

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

That's the thing, e. The culture prevents them from thinking about development. Development almost always comes from the players.

If winning means allowing undersized scoring guards to dominate the offense, they'll do that. But that kind of play style gets coaches to develop bigs as simply screeners, rebounders and interior defenders, not as scoring threats. It stunts their growth.

Maybe, if we let our bigs play like guards, we may have less of a big man crisis here. Or maybe get a positionless offensive system that will help us win. Everybody can handle the ball, and has an opportunity to drive. Run a guard-big PNR, where the big is the ball-handler.

How many are that kind of bigs even in NBA that are good. AD, CAT, Giannis, Simmins, bigs who have some guard skills.

Jokić as well. And among star bigs, those form the majority in the NBA, bigs with that kind of play style.

Look, we're undersized outside of Japeth, Greg, and June Mar, who by the way are three of the 4 best bigs in the Philippines. We'll need to develop bigs 6'8" below with the skillset and quickness of a guard so that they can better adjust to perimeter positions and so that they'll have a fighting chance against bigger players internationally.

I ran into this part of the thread while searching and realized that my thinking on bigs has kind of changed. While I like some versatility from our tallest bigs, which are 6'6"-6'8" it's not my primary requirement anymore. My personal requirement now is that the bigs are able to man the 4-spot. Nevermind if it's a stretch 4, a versatile big, or even a primarily low-post traditional big, so long as that big plays 4.

 

[IPC2]

Former FEU Tamaraw (said to be going to SBC), 6'8 Clifford Jopia, 21 years old.Imagine 6'9, Kemark Cariño with 6'8 Clifford Jopia.That would be considerably tall front line with 6'6 Calvin Oftana playing as a small forward.

By the way, how's this guy doing? If he's good enough for Gilas, Tab might make something out of him yet.

 

[IPC2]

I think we should appreciate that we are getting more and more talent in our disposal. And not just talent. Talent With Height and Potential.

In 2027, Kai and AJ will be in Peak Form. And these young Guy/Prospects will be the support.

Yep, and I hope much of this talent goes to Gilas someday. 2025, 2027, and beyond.

And more options for 6'7-6'8 wing players.

We'll get there eventually. More tall kids will want to play from the perimeter, and who knows, coaches might catch on and develop their tall guys to be a little more positionless, which increases our chances of getting taller wings.

For now, let's just be happy with Javi, Oftana, Navarro, Kobe, Dwight, Dave, and even Baltazar and Tamayo, who can play one or two wing positions, and are good enough height-wise internationally. And we can possibly get more. Josh Lazaro, Lebron Lopez, Jordi GDL, Justine Sanchez, JB Bahio, Aldous Torculas, Jonnel Policarpio.

Kevin Quiambao, Basti Reyes, Kobe Demisana, Ramon Salvoro, and Adrian Sollano are guys to watch out for also. 6'7" kids who have shown some ability to play from the perimeter and are developing a perimeter game.

Sucks that their development stopped due to covid and lockdown. But they are still young.

Quiambao will play as a wing anyway for dlsu.

Basti Reyes, Idk where will be his next game and tournament. I never saw him in a full game yet. But easy to see potential.

Salvoro and Demisana, both lefty skinny Tall Players. I think they are viewed as a Big. Well, At least a Mobile Big or Mobile Pf hopefully. But I assume they will play Center in youth teams they are part of. Sollano, not so familiar, and need more games to evaluate.

And yes. Thats Honegrown only.

The Overseas Players like Caelum, Femi, Amoses, and Tobias are still in radar

As for Demisana, Salvoro, and Sollano, even if they are viewed as bigs, that's still OK, since they're 6'7"-6'8" and can play PF. That's enough, actually. That height will allow them to play in the post and defend the paint with less difficulty, if they do choose to play in the post.

As long as our 6'6"-6'8" bigs are able to play PF, pwede na rin siguro. Modern play style man or traditional, basta PF, pwede na. That said, I do like that we have bigs in that height range that are able to play PF.

 

[IPC2]

https://youtu.be/hyYBhc5glto
6'7 to 6'9 Seven Gagate. Starting center sana ng Batang Gilas kundi lang nagkapandemic. It looks like tumangkad pa siya. It's great na nagtetraining siya under Coach Jeff. Certified NBA skills trainer (Former skills coach GSW). May coaching licensed din sa USA. In my opinion he's the best local trainer sa Philippines ngayon. Kita naman naging improvements ni Tamayo under sa kanya. His training din is sobrang iba puro fundamentals na magagamit mo sa game. Walang fancy dribbling at mga unnecessary na training na makikita mo sa mga YouTube/Instagram famous trainers sa Pinas. Sana more players pa will train under him.

As they say the sky is the ceiling for this kid,eve as a practice player in opponents offense/defense against the Gilas players in scrimmage will be a step up in basketball knowledge of a player.

Hope Gagate gets invited for the February window, kahit nasa training squad lang at most.

He looks like he honed both his post game and perimeter game under Coach Codera. He could project to be a more low-post oriented version of Tamayo. He looks like he can play PF, which is actually a good position, as he stands 6'8" and is developing his post game. Looks coordinated too. Jumper looks good as well.

He's with LSGH, not DLSU. So hopefully, may chance pa to invite this kid.

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

That Seven kid was already in coach TB's radar, it's just a matter of time when will it be...stay tune.

 

[digitalsuperman2]

Hope Gagate gets invited for the February window, kahit nasa training squad lang at most.

He looks like he honed both his post game and perimeter game under Coach Codera. He could project to be a more low-post oriented version of Tamayo. He looks like he can play PF, which is actually a good position, as he stands 6'8" and is developing his post game. Looks coordinated too. Jumper looks good as well.

He's with LSGH, not DLSU. So hopefully, may chance pa to invite this kid.

hope UP can get him.

 

[IPC2]

hope UP can get him.

That would be nice for UP, and probably for Gilas.

He's behind Tamayo and probably Lina though.

 

[digitalsuperman2]

That would be nice for UP, and probably for Gilas.

He's behind Tamayo and probably Lina though.

tamayo can play PF and he will be at C. plus this kid seems able to play both PF and C. yes gilas is also my thought since UP does not stop their players from playing gilas.

 

[IPC2]

tamayo can play PF and he will be at C. plus this kid seems able to play both PF and C. yes gilas is also my thought since UP does not stop their players from playing gilas.

Crap, forgot about Diouf. Gagate would play behind him.

Also, I'm curious to see how Goldwyn Monteverde would use and develop him if ever he goes to UP. And, yeah, I see that he might be able to play PF. Like I said, he looks good enough size-wise and mobility-wise for the position.

 

[IPC2]

tamayo can play PF and he will be at C. plus this kid seems able to play both PF and C. yes gilas is also my thought since UP does not stop their players from playing gilas.

Crap, forgot about Diouf. Gagate would play behind him.

Also, I'm curious to see how Goldwyn Monteverde would use and develop him if ever he goes to UP. And, yeah, I see that he might be able to play PF. Like I said, he looks good enough size-wise and mobility-wise for the position.

Oh, yeah, Tamayo can now play SF as well. Given that fact, if ever Gagate goes to UP, we might see a lineup of Tamayo-Gagate-Diouf on the frontline. That would be a sight to see.

Libre mangarap, but a few LSGH kids have gone to UP before.

And, yeah, he was also a Jr. NBA participant. Hope he has enough upside to take his talent abroad eventually.

 

[Alex072]

Take his projected height with a grain of salt, but if this kid would end up as a 6'8-6'9 guy I think he'll be a very serviceable big forward (even in FIBA windows) if developed correctly

 

[IPC2]

Take his projected height with a grain of salt, but if this kid would end up as a 6'8-6'9 guy I think he'll be a very serviceable big forward (even in FIBA windows) if developed correctly

Yeah, I would take that projected height with a pinch of salt, not just a grain. He's already 17. He'd only grow 1-2 inches at most. But if he can competently play 4, 6'7"-6'8" is already a good height, especially if he's being taught to play in the block.

However, a bit of an issue is that he's a Letran Squire, so he might play behind a loaded frontline once he gets to the senior team, and his availability for Gilas might come into question.

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

Take his projected height with a grain of salt, but if this kid would end up as a 6'8-6'9 guy I think he'll be a very serviceable big forward (even in FIBA windows) if developed correctly

The mere fact that the community coach want to inculcate to the kid to dominate the inside because he wants the lad to maximize his presence within the paint only proves the basketball philosophy/perspective of this country on the grassroot level…the so called Leo Austria approach on Junemar…oh well.

 

[Rodbi2]

As for Demisana, Salvoro, and Sollano, even if they are viewed as bigs, that's still OK, since they're 6'7"-6'8" and can play PF. That's enough, actually. That height will allow them to play in the post and defend the paint with less difficulty, if they do choose to play in the post.

As long as our 6'6"-6'8" bigs are able to play PF, pwede na rin siguro. Modern play style man or traditional, basta PF, pwede na. That said, I do like that we have bigs in that height range that are able to play PF.

Man.. Balti and Carl Tamayo might have set the bar too high for 6'6" and up kids aspiring to become game changers in PHL basketball. It's a good thing though that we now have a good number of young players in that height range, with some even seriously trying to become legit swingmen. Not all might make it and just reach their ceiling as a traditional 5 in PBA (still an achievement) but still, having bigs with potential as wing/perimeter player is a good problem for coaches to have these days, at least from a fan's perspective.

 

[IPC2]

The mere fact that the community coach want to inculcate to the kid to dominate the inside because he wants the lad to maximize his presence within the paint only proves the basketball philosophy/perspective of this country on the grassroot level…the so called Leo Austria approach on Junemar…oh well.

To me, it's fine that a 6'7"-6'8" big learns to play inside, as long as he can play PF. A post game can be an asset, especially when matched up against more finesse bigs.

A problem will occur if that kid can only play center, and that will eat into his playing time, since imports in college and the PBA Commissioner's Cup usually play center.

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

To me, it's fine that a 6'7"-6'8" big learns to play inside, as long as he can play PF. A post game can be an asset, especially when matched up against more finesse bigs.

A problem will occur if that kid can only play center, and that will eat into his playing time, since imports in college and the PBA Commissioner's Cup usually play center.

The thing here is if the kid turns into the usual traditional big guy who doesn’t know how to dribble the ball to save his life in front of a solid defender, doesn’t know how to shoot mid-range jumpers and freethrows ala Rich Alvarez, Richard Del Rosario and Enrico Villanueva who until their last PBA games had a horrible work rate at that area. I hope that community coach reads my posted remarks and not be onion skinned but if the handlers only wants the kid to play only in the PBA, who we are to dictate his Jurrasic way of training but if their plan is to consider playing for Gilas on a regular basis then train the kid how to dribble the ball to save his life and his perimeter game..that’s my take on that kid.