Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[IPC2]

But SBP is not really in charge who's who that's going to play now is it?It's SMC so more than likely SMC will play more of their players than overseas guys no matter what and if those college guys wants to play,then they have to sign something that they will play for PBA/SMC for so many years before going overseas.With Vargas and Marcial hating anything to do with overseas players,we'll probably see more PBA players to prove their point that the PBA is the best league in Asia.

Sure, let's deprive ourselves of rim protectors (Kai, AJ, even Ange) and competent fours (AJ, Carl, Mason), which the PBA doesn't have in abundance (actually nothing, considering that Brownlee's still suspended and Japeth and CStand have retired). Dwight and Parks are necessities as well.

So far, it's just Chua who's open to the exports, at least publicly in his talk with Quinito. Heck, he didn't block Abando's KBL stint. So credit to him. It's just Vargas, e who unfortunately is a key SBP official.

Anyways, the PBA has a number of competent players that can make a rotation and contribute in FIBA. Scottie, Newsome, June Mar, Perez, Oftana, Navarro, Malonzo. Maybe Terrence, Tuffin, Schonny. We need to balance it out with youth. The PBA young guys (Mamuyac, Arana, who are both 24) may not yet be ready. At least a lot of the overseas young guys are tested in FIBA. SJ, RJ, Carl, Kai, AJ, Dwight, and even Thirdy (although the latter two are entering their prime at 25 and 26 respectively).

 

[IPC2]

The 1st window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers is 3 months away yet we haven't heard from SBP about their plans regarding Gilas. Baka naman busy lang si Al Panlilio & his SBP cohorts. Busy doing nothing as usual.

Look, the 2023 World Cup is over, the 2023 Asian Games is over which means that SBP people are no longer occupied taking care of things so as not to set their sights in the 1st window of the Asia Cup qualifiers in February. Wala silang excuse for not focusing on the February window.

What's the plan na ba? Who will coach the team? Who would be the players? If PBA players won't be available, then we call in the B-league boys & the college players. Who would be our naturalized player?

I just hope SBP people are doing things which they don't publicise that's why wala tayong naririg na updates so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_jmcO49pQw&pp=ygUXbW9kZWxzIG9mIG1hbmlsYSB zcG9ydHM%3D

As for coaching, if we're going PBA, it's Cone, Nenad (MERALCO), Rajko (Converge), or bust. Jamike Jarin of Phoenix needs to prove himself first, but he could use a look.

Otherwise, let's just go with the younger local coaches in college. Charles Tiu, Goldwin Monteverde of UP, Jeff Napa of NU, Topex Robinson, maybe Randy Alcantara of Mapua, then backstop them with Jong or Rajko, or the Serbian guy of TNT.

As for Aldin Ayo, I do not like how he builds his lineups with Converge, too small and may compromise us defensively.

 

[live_evil2]

If they only use PBA players and without Brownlee, the PBA will be in for a rude awakening.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

We will go to Latvia and play the host and Georgia… that’s tough….

https://www.youtube.com/live/OppYVDwZ3h8?si=d7O-vwVyvI3wixOa

now live via YT

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Latvia is very tough… they even beat France and Spain even w/o Porzingis… Georgia meanwhile is also product of European basketball and they have 2 active NBA players… If we manage to make it to the 2nd round, we will like face either Brazil, Montenegro or Cameroon… Goodluck Gilas

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Lebanon meanwhile might have a chance atleast make it to the 2nd round of OQT… Angola is very beatable… Just Gilas can’t manage to beat Angola… even China, who is now our “costumer” beat Angola… That shows how important of that FIBA rankings… higher ranking means higher chance to have easy draw… meanwhile Gilas will have face to European powers in Latvia and Georgia…

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Meanwhile Bahrain will have their baptism of fire, as they will debut in the world stage for the first time… even they will lose, the experience they will get playing high class basketball will benefit them in the long run… many will say it should be Korea or Taiwan will participate but they didn’t… And it will rank up their FIBA rankings after this event…

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

It sucks for NZL fans in IBN that they will be grouped with powerhouse Slovenia and Croatia… while Lebanon will have a chance to qualify to 2nd round… I will not surprise if Lebanon will surpass NZL in FIBA rankings after Olympics … I think Lebanon is better than NZL currently this stage…

 

[DAdmiral2]

There are really no easy groups for Asia Pacific teams , NZL playing Croatia (30th ranked ) NZ beating 2nd tier Euro teams isn't a massive upset and has been done repeatedly in past 10 years ( 5 wins vs Euro teams in World level).
Lebanon beating Angola isn't a bigger chance of happening.
To suggest that 28th ranked Lebanon might be ranked higher than NZL 21st after the OQT Is wishful improbable thinking.
littirally no one outside Asia has an opinion that Lebanon is better than NZL currently.
Note NZL is the highest FIBA ranked and WC placed team from Asia pacific team in the OQT ,
as well as the 1st place (along with Australia ) in both the 2019 and 2023 World cup qualifiers , so really no basis that Lebanon is better than NZL currently

 

[DAdmiral2]

If SBP is smart they should use OQT in Latvia , with a pre camp in Lithuania. ( 3 games ) . To expose the core of the prospective 2027 WC team. Building for the future shoold be focus. In fact coach for 2027 WC, should be coach na for OQT 24

 

[IPC2]

If SBP is smart they should use OQT in Latvia , with a pre camp in Lithuania. ( 3 games ) . To expose the core of the prospective 2027 WC team. Building for the future shoold be focus. In fact coach for 2027 WC, should be coach na for OQT 24

I totally agree. We should use players that can play in 2027. Emphasize the players born 1995 and later. Need to limit those born before that year. We also need a coaching staff that can develop younger, more inexperienced players.

We need a capable lineup, yes, but not one that's too old. That means, we need a lot of overseas and maybe college players.

 

[ja.he2]

There are really no easy groups for Asia Pacific teams , NZL playing Croatia (30th ranked ) NZ beating 2nd tier Euro teams isn't a massive upset and has been done repeatedly in past 10 years ( 5 wins vs Euro teams in World level).
Lebanon beating Angola isn't a bigger chance of happening.
To suggest that 28th ranked Lebanon might be ranked higher than NZL 21st after the OQT Is wishful improbable thinking.
littirally no one outside Asia has an opinion that Lebanon is better than NZL currently.
Note NZL is the highest FIBA ranked and WC placed team from Asia pacific team in the OQT ,
as well as the 1st place (along with Australia ) in both the 2019 and 2023 World cup qualifiers , so really no basis that Lebanon is better than NZL currently

Only Japan, among Asian teams, is capable enough to beat some European and Latin American teams. Lebanon and Gilas do not stand a chance in their brackets.

Gilas has Latvia and Georgia in their group with Brazil and Montenegro in the crossover.

Lebanon has Spain in their group. They have some 50/50 chance to beat Angola. However, the question is: who will stop Bruno Fernando? This player is quite strong. Lebanon does not have a player as tall as those Chinese players to stop him. Even if Lebanon manages to pass the group phase, it will still be a tough road ahead of them with Poland, Finland and the Bahamas with Eric Gordon, Deandre Ayton, and Buddy Hield with Kai Jones possibly playing.

 

[ARMIR2]

Sure, let's deprive ourselves of rim protectors (Kai, AJ, even Ange) and competent fours (AJ, Carl, Mason), which the PBA doesn't have in abundance (actually nothing, considering that Brownlee's still suspended and Japeth and CStand have retired). Dwight and Parks are necessities as well.

So far, it's just Chua who's open to the exports, at least publicly in his talk with Quinito. Heck, he didn't block Abando's KBL stint. So credit to him. It's just Vargas, e who unfortunately is a key SBP official.

Anyways, the PBA has a number of competent players that can make a rotation and contribute in FIBA. Scottie, Newsome, June Mar, Perez, Oftana, Navarro, Malonzo. Maybe Terrence, Tuffin, Schonny. We need to balance it out with youth. The PBA young guys (Mamuyac, Arana, who are both 24) may not yet be ready. At least a lot of the overseas young guys are tested in FIBA. SJ, RJ, Carl, Kai, AJ, Dwight, and even Thirdy (although the latter two are entering their prime at 25 and 26 respectively).

Until I read the official lineup,I have this nagging feeling that SBP as a reward to the team that won the gold,same team will be in February,and I won't be surprised if there's no Ange in the lineup,Vargas and Marcial will proclaim this as the best local lineup they can muster and if they fail to win a game they will blame the overseas guys for not being available and wash their hands like Pontius Pilate.

 

[IPC2]

Until I read the official lineup,I have this nagging feeling that SBP as a reward to the team that won the gold,same team will be in February,and I won't be surprised if there's no Ange in the lineup,Vargas and Marcial will proclaim this as the best local lineup they can muster and if they fail to win a game they will blame the overseas guys for not being available and wash their hands like Pontius Pilate.

I doubt we will lose against Hong Kong, whatever lineup we put out there, unless if we send a team full of total scrubs. As for Taiwan, will we call up the in-prime guys at least (Oftana, Navarro, Tuffin, Malonzo), and the younger guys (Mamuyac, Winston)?

We need replacements for at least two of Brownlee, Ange, Ross (FIBA-ineligibles), and Japeth (retired).
​
I don't mind if we recall Scottie, June Mar, Oftana, Perez, Newsome, and JB, but we will need replacements for Ange, Ross (FIBA-ineligibles), and Japeth (retired). We have better SF's than Arvin, and Marcio will be 38 in May 2024, so we might need to look for upgrades over him too. Plus, after June Mar, Brownlee, and the recently-retired Japeth and CStand (who's also ineligible), we have a goodly round number (meaning ZERO) of capable FIBA-eligible centers and PF's from the PBA (Navarro, Oftana, and Malonzo don't count, they're more of wings in the FIBA scene). If Justin Arana can play PF, fine, but he's been used exclusively as a center in Converge.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Only Japan, among Asian teams, is capable enough to beat some European and Latin American teams. Lebanon and Gilas do not stand a chance in brackets.

Gilas has Latvia and Georgia in their group with Brazil and Montenegro in the crossover.

Lebanon has Spain in their group. They have some 50/50 chance to beat Angola. However, the question is: who will stop Bruno Fernando? This player is quite strong. Lebanon does not a player as tall as those Chinese players to stop him. Even if Lebanon manages to pass the group phase, it will still be a tough road ahead of them with Poland, Finland and the Bahamas with Eric Gordon, Deandre Ayton, and Buddy Hield with Kai Jones possibly playing.

Lebanon doesn’t need A Zhou Qi like big man to stop Angola.. a good game plan will determine how they can beat Angola.. making to the 2nd round is already achievement already for Asian teams… and it will rank up their FIBA rankings again to get some advantage in future FIBA tournaments… Their coach is way way better than Chot and CYG… even Jordan can beat Angola…

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

There are really no easy groups for Asia Pacific teams , NZL playing Croatia (30th ranked ) NZ beating 2nd tier Euro teams isn't a massive upset and has been done repeatedly in past 10 years ( 5 wins vs Euro teams in World level).
Lebanon beating Angola isn't a bigger chance of happening.
To suggest that 28th ranked Lebanon might be ranked higher than NZL 21st after the OQT Is wishful improbable thinking.
littirally no one outside Asia has an opinion that Lebanon is better than NZL currently.
Note NZL is the highest FIBA ranked and WC placed team from Asia pacific team in the OQT ,
as well as the 1st place (along with Australia ) in both the 2019 and 2023 World cup qualifiers , so really no basis that Lebanon is better than NZL currently

Atleast Lebanon have a better chance to advance to the 2nd round of OQT than other APAC teams… Croatia is way better than Angola.. OQT gives you high rank points especially if advance to the 2nd round… Angola is very beatable if they will have a good game plan and a good coach… other Asian teams knows how to beat Angola… Iran beat them, Jordan beat them, China beat them… while Gilas doesn’t know how to beat Angola.. Even Bahrain will go up their rankings even they will lose badly since playing in OQT will give them high ranking points already… playing against world class teams is already achievement for them… and Lebanon already beat NZL even their best possible line up.. NZL almost lose to Egypt and Jordan, and lost to Mexico…

 

[C2Hamm2]

I doubt we will lose against Hong Kong, whatever lineup we put out there, unless if we send a team full of total scrubs. As for Taiwan, will we call up the in-prime guys at least (Oftana, Navarro, Tuffin, Malonzo), and the younger guys (Mamuyac, Winston)?

We need replacements for at least two of Brownlee, Ange, Ross (FIBA-ineligibles), and Japeth (retired).
​
I don't mind if we recall Scottie, June Mar, Oftana, Perez, Newsome, and JB, but we will need replacements for Ange, Ross (FIBA-ineligibles), and Japeth (retired). We have better SF's than Arvin, and Marcio will be 38 in May 2024, so we might need to look for upgrades over him too. Plus, after June Mar, Brownlee, and the recently-retired Japeth and CStand (who's also ineligible), we have a goodly round number (meaning ZERO) of capable FIBA-eligible centers and PF's from the PBA (Navarro, Oftana, and Malonzo don't count, they're more of wings in the FIBA scene). If Justin Arana can play PF, fine, but he's been used exclusively as a center in Converge.

although I agree to some, and open to the rest that has been posted here so far.... SBP has proven to be quite short sighted that I dont think they will prep for 2025 (actual Asia cup) much less 2027 (WC) games.

how long will the current PBA conference go and will the playoffs\finals go until Feb? if it doesnt then I guess PBA will rep us then. if not, can they make a team usng players from non finals teams? even if we get beaten by NZ, if PBA wins against Taiwan and HK then thats a good outcome already for them. and depending on who goes to the playoffs\finals, there might be a chance to insert 2-3 young players.

OQT is harder to gauge right now. if SBP have something against the B league and KBL boys, i'll get a non-PBA coach and get him to coach players from these 2 leagues (plus Ange) with less than a month time prep. whatever happens there will not affect PBA much.

but to be honest, I dont see any correlation between PBA repping the flag with gate attendance. a few years ago, posters where all "lets boycott watching PBA" because they werent "helping" SBP enough (lending players, moving sched etc) and when PBA did this last Asia games, tickets didnt seem to pickup. im not saying PBA should not help. but they should push back a bit to force SBP to be creative in making teams and not be too reliant with the PBA.

 

[ja.he2]

I doubt we will lose against Hong Kong, whatever lineup we put out there, unless if we send a team full of total scrubs. As for Taiwan, will we call up the in-prime guys at least (Oftana, Navarro, Tuffin, Malonzo), and the younger guys (Mamuyac, Winston)?

We need replacements for at least two of Brownlee, Ange, Ross (FIBA-ineligibles), and Japeth (retired).
​
I don't mind if we recall Scottie, June Mar, Oftana, Perez, Newsome, and JB, but we will need replacements for Ange, Ross (FIBA-ineligibles), and Japeth (retired). We have better SF's than Arvin, and Marcio will be 38 in May 2024, so we might need to look for upgrades over him too. Plus, after June Mar, Brownlee, and the recently-retired Japeth and CStand (who's also ineligible), we have a goodly round number (meaning ZERO) of capable FIBA-eligible centers and PF's from the PBA (Navarro, Oftana, and Malonzo don't count, they're more of wings in the FIBA scene). If Justin Arana can play PF, fine, but he's been used exclusively as a center in Converge.

Yeah, the February window is relatively easier with Hong Kong and Taipei as our assignment.

If they ever send an all-PBA team, my wish are the following players:

- Laput (NP)
- Carino
- Arana
- Navarro
​​​​- Oftana
- Malonzo
- Javi
​​​​​- Tuffin
- Winston
- Mamuyac
- Rivero
- Black

I bit small. I don't know how they are going to stop Artino and Duncan Reid, though.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Yeah, the February window is relatively easier with Hong Kong and Taipei as our assignment.

If they ever send an all-PBA team, my wish are the following players:

- Laput (NP)
- Carino
- Arana
- Navarro
​​​​- Oftana
- Malonzo
- Javi
​​​​​- Tuffin
- Winston
- Mamuyac
- Rivero
- Black

I bit small. I don't know how they are going to stop Artino and Duncan Reid, though.

Hong Kong is very weak team… we can beat them even a MPBL roster… no pressure beating Hong Kong…. Taiwan is more tougher but still beatable…

 

[IPC2]

although I agree to some, and open to the rest that has been posted here so far.... SBP has proven to be quite short sighted that I dont think they will prep for 2025 (actual Asia cup) much less 2027 (WC) games.

how long will the current PBA conference go and will the playoffs\finals go until Feb? if it doesnt then I guess PBA will rep us then. if not, can they make a team usng players from non finals teams? even if we get beaten by NZ, if PBA wins against Taiwan and HK then thats a good outcome already for them. and depending on who goes to the playoffs\finals, there might be a chance to insert 2-3 young players.

OQT is harder to gauge right now. if SBP have something against the B league and KBL boys, i'll get a non-PBA coach and get him to coach players from these 2 leagues (plus Ange) with less than a month time prep. whatever happens there will not affect PBA much.

but to be honest, I dont see any correlation between PBA repping the flag with gate attendance. a few years ago, posters where all "lets boycott watching PBA" because they werent "helping" SBP enough (lending players, moving sched etc) and when PBA did this last Asia games, tickets didnt seem to pickup. im not saying PBA should not help. but they should push back a bit to force SBP to be creative in making teams and not be too reliant with the PBA.

Thing is, Panlilio, our SBP head, is the MERALCO governor, and Ricky Vargas, the SBP VP, is the PBA Chairman and the TNT governor. Chua, an executive adviser, is Ginebra's governor, and the alleged shadow PBA Commissioner. Vargas especially wants the PBA to be the star. At least Chua publicly said that was open to the overseas guys playing for Gilas.

But I agree with the sentiment that SBP has to be creative and look outside the PBA, where FIBA availability is an issue.