I do get that we might not have the size, but still, we need enough size, especially in the frontcourt. Only a good motor and athletic level with the right size (ala Pingris) can compensate for being undersized.
We cannot afford to have undersized AND not-so-athletic AND underskilled players at the 3, 4, and 5 spots. Guys like Belga (6'5", but cannot defend the perimeter), Pogoy (6'2", but not really that spectacular on defense nor fast enough), not really fit for international game.
For bigs, we need more guys like Pingris, RDO, Quiambao, and Tamayo. For wings, Dwight Ramos, Will Navarro, or a 6'4" Calvin Abueva.
Let's face it Kelly and Pingris have African and Caucasian blood respectively. Our 6'6 guys are not typically as athletic as etiher of them. I think we have no choice but to make our 4s as skilled as RDO. As I said, Tamayo is the modern version of this. But I also said, when we get tall guys who have length and mobility, like Balti, we have to maximize them. I think for Hagop eligible guys, Navarro is the realistic level of athleticism we can hope for unless we get some guys with African and Caucasian ethnicity. I think we should follow Tab's framework. Basically maximizing the guys we have, maximizing their skills and defense. I think looking for Gabe or Kelly as models for our ideal players is not realistic. This actually conditions us to search for future mixed ethnicity guys. This is not sustainable. We should look at the profile of the eligible guys we get in college. Guys like Belmonte, Chiu and develop a system to maximize them. We will always have an NP slot for any size, athleticism or skill hole we have.Of course we will maximize guys like Lopez and Edu etc. But it is a disservice to our homegrowns if we dont maximize them because they do not have the athletic ceiling of those with African or Caucasian descent. Let's build a system were we can maximize the typical type of players we have.
A nation with a small basketball pool produced a Yuta Watanabe and some other guards playing in international leagues. If we maximize the athleticism and skill of the players we have we can compete and even produce international level players whether they are African/Caucasian descent or not.
"I think looking for Gabe or Kelly as models for our ideal players is not realistic"
I actually forgot to say that Kelly Williams-type should be done through Fil-Am Nations while RDO-type can be trained locally. Searching for Fil-Fors, I believe, is sustainable since the Philippine basketball community has connections in the US community. Maintain these connections so that we can have a supply of athletic players.
"But it is a disservice to our homegrowns if we dont maximize them because they do not have the athletic ceiling of those with African or Caucasian descent"
Are you a purist dude? Kidding aside, that's why you need to upskill their level like what I said in my other posts. RDO-type forwards can come from our locals. 6'1-6'4 (the majority of homegrown players) can be upskilled into pure guards. 6'5 and above homegrowns should also be upskilled.
Per guys like Tamayo and Baltazar, di ba they are RDO-types of big? Better taller 4 that can be a small ball 5 but definitely not your 3. These guys are already upskilled.
IMO our program should target an RDO skillset regardless of athleticism or if foreign grown or home bred. Looking at Hachimura, he might have an athletic advantage in HS in JP but he doesnt in the NBA. It is actually his shooting skills for his size that standout in the NBA. Those skills he probably gained in HS in JP.
I think regardless of athleticism we should train our guys to shoot, dribble and defend well. If they are athletic then they have a higher ceiling. Dwight Ramos is a good example. He was nobody in USA. But here was asked to do everything. It turned out his combination of handles, athleticism, strength and defense was effective here. Even his outside shooting seems to be improving. Heck to me he looked better defending the paint than the slimmer Malonzo.
Caelum is a prototype kelly williams and poormans rhjr. And should be reporting to this team during this off season
Would have been better if Pogoy retired instead. LOL
Not just Pogoy. Troy, Almazan, Wright are not serviceable anymore, and not serviceable for the bigger part of their Gilas careers.i hope chot also retires from Gilas but i think we’re stuck with him for the eternity, he’ll always finds his way back to Gilas,
i hope chot also retires from Gilas but i think we’re stuck with him for the eternity, he’ll always finds his way back to Gilas,
i hope chot also retires from Gilas but i think we’re stuck with him for the eternity, he’ll always finds his way back to Gilas,
If Gilas had a B team which players would you guys like to be part of it
Ateneo players reinforced by players from La Salle & UP. With Ange Kouame as NP. And of course, coached by Tab Baldwin. I think yun ang difference maker - Tab Baldwin handling the team. Hindi yung kung sino Pontio Pilatong coach dyan sa PBA who is usually being outcoached in international basketball.
Korea Boys and College All-Stars. UP, DLSU and ADMU plus the new Fil-Fors of UST.
Erram officially retires from Gilas duties,
Watching the Jones Cup really makes me envious of the Taiwan national team program that they take the initiative to form a Team B for the seniors team composed of their younger players. Obviously we have numerous prospects for the seniors team and we have enough to actually have our own B team but unfortunately the SBP is handled by short sighted incompetent people and politics is still a major hurdle for our national team.
Coach would hopefully be Nenad, Charles Tiu, or Goldwin Monteverde. Or, all three.
Add some VERY promising young players in HS as well if we want a Team B.