Philippines Cadet/Developmental Team

[PaVi2]

Get a job like everyone else...

I ask now, are our local players like Nico, willing to step back a few steps to move forward in their game.

Now, that is the question these players really have to answer. I do hope that they try to look further ahead in terms of honing their skills. The only guy, currently who is interested in doing that I think is Japeth.. but then, which filipino basketball player do not want to dream of playing in the NBA right? I was actually hoping that after Gilas, he would try going for his dream in the States or try to apply with OCEANIA or some league in Europe.. He has the height, and he is a bit athletic... besides, he was able to stay competitive with some guys in the NBA D-league draft and was in fact the last one cut. So I am assuming that he can at least try with other leagues and see if he can qualify. I also believe that Japeth will be stagnant if he will play in the PBA.

 

[analyzed2]

Now, that is the question these players really have to answer. I do hope that they try to look further ahead in terms of honing their skills. The only guy, currently who is interested in doing that I think is Japeth.. but then, which filipino basketball player do not want to dream of playing in the NBA right? I was actually hoping that after Gilas, he would try going for his dream in the States or try to apply with OCEANIA or some league in Europe.. He has the height, and he is a bit athletic... besides, he was able to stay competitive with some guys in the NBA D-league draft and was in fact the last one cut. So I am assuming that he can at least try with other leagues and see if he can qualify. I also believe that Japeth will be stagnant if he will play in the PBA.

Without giving details , there are actually things we are exploring. Jap does have offers, and he is only under contract with Ginerbra until Feb next year (up to the all Filipino)

 

[analyzed2]

Get a job like everyone else...

.

Tito toots I really don’t know what Jozef schedule looks like, but if he’s interested in being a developmental player with either the Auckland “rangers” , Wellington Saints or maybe even the NZ breakers (he will be based in Auckland) , just yell out. I’ve got offers from both the owners and head coach of each of the teams to get a Filipino developmental player. (The NZ NBL season runs from May to July), He actually will be in good company , current Tall Black players Iziah plays for the Saints , while 6 10” Jack Salt who is a development player for the breakers plays for the Rangers.

 

[killmebusy2]

That would then be excluding legitimate Filipinos of the right to play for and in local leagues as locals. That's like saying only full blooded white Germans should play for the NT. A legitimate Filipino citizen of mixed race with foreign blood is every bit a Filipino as one who has pure filipino blood. (Jason Castro is as much a filipino as LA, and so is Alapag as filipino as LA

that's not my point...instead of looking for loopholes in the fiba rules or exploring options after options, why not work with what we already have? if a certain fil-for is eligible then by all means but if he isn't then shrug it off and look for a replacement...next man up so to speak instead of looking for ways to make the ineligible eligible. we aren't shutting the door on them, fiba did and that sucks but rules are rules.

 

[trig2]

I actually have instructions from 2 NZ NBL teams to recruit for Philippine players, my list of capable players who i think are good enough is limited though

I hope guys like Japeth, Parks and Paras consider this option. Esp Paras since he's young and has a lot of room to improve.

 

[Spenz2]

It would be a culture shock to these players if ever they transfer to Aus/NZ. Like what tito thoots was saying "get a job like everyone else", they may have not embraced that concept that basketball is not the main game in these countries. Footy for australia and Rugby for NZ tops it. . .so they wouldnt be pampered and taken care of like in the Philippines. So i suggest to Analyzed is to look for talents here in Aus/NZ rather than bring them over from the Philippines.

 

[tito thoots2]

Tito toots I really don’t know what Jozef schedule looks like, but if he’s interested in being a developmental player with either the Auckland “rangers” , Wellington Saints or maybe even the NZ breakers (he will be based in Auckland) , just yell out. I’ve got offers from both the owners and head coach of each of the teams to get a Filipino developmental player. (The NZ NBL season runs from May to July), He actually will be in good company , current Tall Black players Iziah plays for the Saints , while 6 10” Jack Salt who is a development player for the breakers plays for the Rangers.

I am very honoured that you have considered offering this very big opportunity to Jozef and in ordinary circumstances, would be unthinkable to pass it off. I can think of a lot of players who would give an arm and a leg to be offered the opportunity to be the first Filipino to play in the NZNBL league. I am also worried that , despite all your time searching for Filipino development players , you have not found at this point somebody good enough to recommend (na hindi ka mapapahiya).
I have also though about any likely candidates Pinoy in NZ that would be perfect for the criteria but unfortunately, they either are too small or play a big man's position with a Filipino height. Hopefully you can develop Ken enough to be able to be that player.

Depending on how you see it, I have to maintain balance with a lot of things when it comes to Jozef. At this point, he is given the opportunity to break an academic record in the southern hemisphere (youngest lawyer in Oz and NZ) and so I have decided that this is his top priority. This means that he is to be limited for the meantime here in Australia until he achieves it. Maybe after he breaks it, we can look at this option. He will still be around 17-18 by the time he finishes law school. The NZNBL season ends in July and I think that the Masters of Law intake for the Ivy league schools will be in September (If I'm not mistaken). He is bent on getting a PhD in Law in the US by the time he is 21-22. After which , he has to decide whether he wants to play a little bit in the PBA or Gilas or the D-leagues or the NBL.

I guess the world is his oyster.

 

[nardy2]

It would be a culture shock to these players if ever they transfer to Aus/NZ. Like what tito thoots was saying "get a job like everyone else", they may have not embraced that concept that basketball is not the main game in these countries. Footy for australia and Rugby for NZ tops it. . .so they wouldnt be pampered and taken care of like in the Philippines. So i suggest to Analyzed is to look for talents here in Aus/NZ rather than bring them over from the Philippines.

the problem with the suggestion is that it is not a full time basketball gig ..... its really different here, even though players do go to college the objective of majority is to earn a living thru basketball and not by other means. Remember here players here instead of getting employed in a regular job and have basketball as a sideline would rather play all over the Philippines, playing in whatever fiesta, barangay, inter-color, ligang-labas, etc wherein he'll get paid even if entails him playing 2 to 3 different games each day ..... that is the usual life of players who did not get a big contract in the PBA or is now out of it.

then since majority did not take their schooling seriously, it would be difficult for them to get a job downunder. If ever you must have a company willing to sponsor said players.

 

[FilWelsh2]

I am very honoured that you have considered offering this very big opportunity to Jozef and in ordinary circumstances, would be unthinkable to pass it off. I can think of a lot of players who would give an arm and a leg to be offered the opportunity to be the first Filipino to play in the NZNBL league. I am also worried that , despite all your time searching for Filipino development players , you have not found at this point somebody good enough to recommend (na hindi ka mapapahiya).
I have also though about any likely candidates Pinoy in NZ that would be perfect for the criteria but unfortunately, they either are too small or play a big man's position with a Filipino height. Hopefully you can develop Ken enough to be able to be that player.

Depending on how you see it, I have to maintain balance with a lot of things when it comes to Jozef. At this point, he is given the opportunity to break an academic record in the southern hemisphere (youngest lawyer in Oz and NZ) and so I have decided that this is his top priority. This means that he is to be limited for the meantime here in Australia until he achieves it. Maybe after he breaks it, we can look at this option. He will still be around 17-18 by the time he finishes law school. The NZNBL season ends in July and I think that the Masters of Law intake for the Ivy league schools will be in September (If I'm not mistaken). He is bent on getting a PhD in Law in the US by the time he is 21-22. After which , he has to decide whether he wants to play a little bit in the PBA or Gilas or the D-leagues or the NBL.

I guess the world is his oyster.

That's good thing with British education system and its counterparts in the Commonwealth like OZ, NZ and Canada. Kids can become doctors and lawyers at young age if they are academically brilliant. Education in British Commonwealth countries is straightforward as in certain degree they includes only subjects necessary for the profession which a student will graduate. In contrast, the Philippines in university or college the students have general education for 2 years then the major subjects related to the profession in the remaining two years. In my opinion, these first two years is wasted.

In basketball perspective, the previous PBA requirement in its rookie draft that applicant must at least 23 years old at the day of the draft is counterproductive. That is a bit late. Setting at 21 is acceptable but opening the draft to selected talented 19 years old is much better. With the requirement of 23 years old collegiate players in UAAP and NCAA usually start their varsity years at age 18 or 19 instead of 16, the age which most Filipino students start their university education. And often you will see a lot of 24 and 25 years old still playing in UAAP and NCAA. I believe this system impedes the progress of basketball players. Lately we have only few young talents that we can consider in national senior team that can compete internationally FIBA Asia level. This maybe a result of this faulty system. I maybe wrong but this is just my opinion.

 

[paulezra2]

I actually have instructions from 2 NZ NBL teams to recruit for Philippine players, my list of capable players who i think are good enough is limited though

Recruit players here for what..to lure pinoy fans ?

 

[C2Hamm2]

^ i did read some rugby players having day jobs when I was in sydney last August, so the post to "get a job like everyone else" seems very natural.

anyway, a lot of this grassroot programs to get players ready are very nice to read but the this is, there should be a program to teach coaches as well. sali nga ng sali sa clinics player mo, hindi naman marunong gamitin ng coach, wala din(your player joins clinics to be better but the coach could not maximize them, then it wont matter much). if you go to Milo Best tournaments, SBP, pasarelle, and the likes you would see the usual schools coming out on top because they have a sound program a good coaching. a former youth player, who is my friend told me that when he was in grade school, every time they go against other schools(specially those in the province), they recruit the best player of the tournament that are not in their team. and usually those players join because the parents and the kids believe they would be better if they transferred. thats good, but how about those who needs more guidance? if they dont leave their school they might not grow as fast as they could skill wise. so yeah, to cut it short, more programs for coaches (and PE teachers I guess) also.

 

[elcian2]

Without Jus Soli, we really to develop our grassroots... PBA should be a benchmark by allowing the likes of Compton and Kirk Long play in the PBA. Correct me if I'm wrong I think Yeo is a Full blooded taiwanese born and raised in the RP.

It's the same with Chris Tiu anyway. And TY Tang. And Woody Co. They're all full blooded Chinese who were born and raised here.

 

[analyzed2]

Just some background so you guys know where I’m coming from and the opportunity.

- One of the revelations of Gilas NZ tour was the huge Filipino crowd we attracted ( With no promotion we basically out sold the NZ NBL finals)
- The owners and coaches of 2 NBL teams, in fact you can add 2 more (As Tab and Nenad are practically NBL owners as well approached me with the possibility of recruiting 1. Gilas players who they were impressed with or 2. if not available a “cadet” like player for their “ development assigned players roster.
- “professional players” senior players like the Gilas players ( BTW 3 NT players won’t mention their names are interested) or Ganuelas can potentially play as imports and get paid sufficiently on short term contract (2-3 months)
- Promising Fil- kiwi players like (Jozef or Ken) can be allotted roster spots as “development players” , While some compensation will be given to shoulder their expenses , they will need funding to subsidise their full expenses.
- The Gilas management (this is getting ridiculous as you all know who I’m referring to, so why hide their identity ) witnessed the significant value of getting exposure playing NZ NBL teams on a regular basis for Philippine based players needing to develop. As these players are not at the level to impact the competitiveness of the teams giving an unfair advantage for NBL franchises, the hope is they will be given “ non import” status
- This “ development program” coincidently can fall under the bi lateral agreement passed by immigration during P-Noy’s visit here. These players will be legally allowed to stay , train and even get paid wages under the new “ working holiday allotted to Filipino by the NZ govt.

I’m of the opinion that if a few of our young basketball players (e.g. Paras etc) get the opportunity to play as developmental players for 3 months in an NZ NBL team , their games will improve dramatically. (12th NBA pick Steven Adams played 3 months as a development player of the Saints) from a player who was not expected to be anywhere near draft NBA material , Adams stock grew significantly , NBA scouts said the one player in the world whose stock grew the most in the past year is none other than Adams. And one of the reasons is the NBL developmental program. Just this morning at 6 am I dropped my son at the training facility (BTW I had Gilas train there and Chot and the team were amazed it was like “basketball heaven” for development) , I witnessed the use of their “shooting machine” (yes the machine throws out balls at a rate of 20 balls a minute, translating to over 1,000 shots per hour. The same machine that Adams used to transform himself from a weak shooter to one of the best big man shooters in the recent NBA combine) and all the drills they do, that I don’t see in other places , especially in the Philippines. And it’s really why I’m no longer wondering why a 15 year old boy like Tab’s son can outshoot the best shooter in the Philippines

 

[tito thoots2]

Just some background so you guys know where I’m coming from and the opportunity.

- One of the revelations of Gilas NZ tour was the huge Filipino crowd we attracted ( With no promotion we basically out sold the NZ NBL finals)
- The owners and coaches of 2 NBL teams, in fact you can add 2 more (As Tab and Nenad are practically NBL owners as well approached me with the possibility of recruiting 1. Gilas players who they were impressed with or 2. if not available a “cadet” like player for their “ development assigned players roster.
- “professional players” senior players like the Gilas players ( BTW 3 NT players won’t mention their names are interested) or Ganuelas can potentially play as imports and get paid sufficiently on short term contract (2-3 months)
- Promising Fil- kiwi players like (Jozef or Ken) can be allotted roster spots as “development players” , While some compensation will be given to shoulder their expenses , they will need funding to subsidise their full expenses.
- The Gilas management (this is getting ridiculous as you all know who I’m referring to, so why hide their identity ) witnessed the significant value of getting exposure playing NZ NBL teams on a regular basis for Philippine based players needing to develop. As these players are not at the level to impact the competitiveness of the teams giving an unfair advantage for NBL franchises, the hope is they will be given “ non import” status
- This “ development program” coincidently can fall under the bi lateral agreement passed by immigration during P-Noy’s visit here. These players will be legally allowed to stay , train and even get paid wages under the new “ working holiday allotted to Filipino by the NZ govt.

I’m of the opinion that if a few of our young basketball players (e.g. Paras etc) get the opportunity to play as developmental players for 3 months in an NZ NBL team , their games will improve dramatically. (12th NBA pick Steven Adams played 3 months as a development player of the Saints) from a player who was not expected to be anywhere near draft NBA material , Adams stock grew significantly , NBA scouts said the one player in the world whose stock grew the most in the past year is none other than Adams. And one of the reasons is the NBL developmental program. Just this morning at 6 am I dropped my son at the training facility (BTW I had Gilas train there and Chot and the team were amazed it was like “basketball heaven” for development) , I witnessed the use of their “shooting machine” (yes the machine throws out balls at a rate of 20 balls a minute, translating to over 1,000 shots per hour. The same machine that Adams used to transform himself from a weak shooter to one of the best big man shooters in the recent NBA combine) and all the drills they do, that I don’t see in other places , especially in the Philippines. And it’s really why I’m no longer wondering why a 15 year old boy like Tab’s son can outshoot the best shooter in the Philippines

Totally agree with you. Players who will grab this opportunity will definitely improve their international game (drastically). In NZ and Oz, basketball is not mixed in too much with politics and external problems. Players can just do what needs to be done for the time they are there- train basketball in the purest sense. Exposure is definitely the x factor. Thanks, my friend for the offer. we will see you in about a years time.

 

[PaVi2]

@Analyzed @ tito thoots

This is what I am trying to imply. My! I'm blown away with the kind of training development Oz have. I do hope, our Filipino Players will be able to seriously take advantage of this.
Just now, the names coming out of my mind that will definitely get to be a whole lot better after this, if given the chance are Parks, Ferrer, Ababou.. and heck, even Salva...
For the bigs, will be Jap, Slaughter, and YDO... I don't think JMF will be given a chance by its management to play/ learn there, even for just three months.

Thanks for this info Analyzed. tito thoots. am just an avid basketball fan, but I am really excited about this!!!

 

[unstopaball122]

I hope you guys try to get Thirdy and Kobe.

I believe that they have the most potential among all high school players.

Both have perimeter game for their height and Im scared that they will be forced to play the post, thus hindering their game.

Kobe has all the genes with him, with his father being 6"5.

Hopefully he can reach that size and develop his game even more

 

[analyzed2]

A potential problem is schedule. the NZ NBL season runs from May to July, I'm not sure how that will affect their studies. However if a well to do parent like the Paras' would be willing to pay tuition as an exchange student for just a term that might do.

 

[unstopaball122]

I think their problem is getting a release from their school.

UAAP starts late June, whie hyped pre-season leagues are from April-June.


I think the ravena's and paras' can afford it. Heck im even sure Kiefer can afford to pay for his brother's trip with all the commercials he gets and MAYBE the allowance he gets from Ateneo.

 

[Ador Cruzado2]

A potential problem is schedule. the NZ NBL season runs from May to July, I'm not sure how that will affect their studies. However if a well to do parent like the Paras' would be willing to pay tuition as an exchange student for just a term that might do.

playing outside the philippines might make the youngsters ineligible for the collegiate leagues in the Philippines. Unless they'll play for free.
And basketball is 365 days in the philippines, if not, non-basketball days are for 'academic reasons' by the school. You could take a high schooler, but his school might not allow and besides june is the start of classes in the Philippines. If a young college guy, your best bet is those who are sitting out for residency but if their school will allow them. But college varsities normally take summer classes which makes them full-time students all year long.

 

[tito thoots2]

playing outside the philippines might make the youngsters ineligible for the collegiate leagues in the Philippines. Unless they'll play for free.
And basketball is 365 days in the philippines, if not, non-basketball days are for 'academic reasons' by the school. You could take a high schooler, but his school might not allow and besides june is the start of classes in the Philippines. If a young college guy, your best bet is those who are sitting out for residency but if their school will allow them. But college varsities normally take summer classes which makes them full-time students all year long.

There is also this complication. Plus the added hazards that come with playing against men (at the peak of their physical fitness) who will not treat them as kids but as equals.