Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[JAMSKIE2]

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.

I doubt we can beat Taiwan with this line up especially with a 2 or at best 3-week preparation.

 

[ja.he2]

I doubt we can beat Taiwan with this line up especially with a 2 or at best 3-week preparation.

The weakness of my list is in the bigmen position. This problem is the reflection of what's going on in the PBA - Japeth, CS and Erram are already retired from Gilas, Almazan is really not really that good in FIBA and his commitment is questionable, PBA's current set of good bigs are ineligible (BGR, Datu, Villegas, Laput, CS), eligible bigs are not at par FIBA-wise (Go, Rangel).

 

[Sikatrix2]

Personally they might go majority PBA but the SBP would probably have the likes of AJ in there. If they go all PBA and fail, all the heat is on the PBA. If they get guys from other leagues then things dissipate.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

Al Panlilio & his subordinates in SBP are the dumbest people in the planet if they don't realize that it is the B-league & KBL Gilas players who are the most available national team players (as compared to the PBA national team players) for the qualifying windows of both 2025 FIBA Asia Cup & 2027 FIBA World Cup & the tournament proper for both the Asia Cup & World Cup.

That's because B-league automatically takes a 2-week break for every window of the Asia Cup qualifiers & World Cup qualifiers. PBA used to take a 2-week break during the qualifying windows of the 2019 FIBA World Cup & 2023 FIBA World Cup but things may change for the qualifying windows of the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

What is certain is that PBA didn't take a break during the qualifying windows of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup (well it was the college or amateur players that played for Gilas under coach Tab in these windows). But what was worse is that PBA didn't take a break to give way for Gilas stint in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup tournament proper. As a result, we settled for a Gilas team composed of B-league players (minus Dwight Ramos as he was injured), college players & Poy Erram & Kib Montalbo. Kai Sotto wasn't also available becoz he was I think in the US busy chasing for his NBA dream. No wonder Gilas sucked in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup. I can't help but asked, where were Junmar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Iskati Thompson, Japeth Aguilar? These players could have made a difference.

 

[IPC2]

Al Panlilio & his subordinates in SBP are the dumbest people in the planet if they don't realize that it is the B-league & KBL Gilas players who are the most available national team players (as compared to the PBA national team players) for the qualifying windows of both 2025 FIBA Asia Cup & 2027 FIBA World Cup & the tournament proper for both the Asia Cup & World Cup.

That's because B-league automatically takes a 2-week break for every window of the Asia Cup qualifiers & World Cup qualifiers. PBA used to take a 2-week break during the qualifying windows of the 2019 FIBA World Cup & 2023 FIBA World Cup but things may change for the qualifying windows of the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

What is certain is that PBA didn't take a break during the qualifying windows of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup (well it was the college or amateur players that played for Gilas under coach Tab in these windows). But what was worse is that PBA didn't take a break to give way for Gilas stint in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup tournament proper. As a result, we settled for a Gilas team composed of B-league players (minus Dwight Ramos as he was injured), college players & Poy Erram & Kib Montalbo. Kai Sotto wasn't also available becoz he was I think in the US busy chasing for his NBA dream. No wonder Gilas sucked in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup. I can't help but asked, where were Junmar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Iskati Thompson, Japeth Aguilar? These players could have made a difference.

Ricky Vargas, the PBA Chair, and the SBP Vice-President, probably thinks that we don't need the overseas guys while he wants the PBA to return to the 3-conference format and back to normal. Jeez.

Gusto magpabida, pero bokya sa adjustment ng sked. Galing ng hunghang.

 

[ARMIR2]

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.

I'm feeling an Abueva and Romeo will be in the lineup,this would be a team of PBA fan favorites and will be very small.

 

[IPC2]

I'm feeling an Abueva and Romeo will be in the lineup,this would be a team of PBA fan favorites and will be very small.

I don't mind Terrence, as he can score and shoot (just need a good defender alongside him), and he'll be 32 by March 2024, but Abueva will be 36 by the time of the February qualifiers, and he's only 6'2". But if he can still defend bigger wings, fine.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Personally they might go majority PBA but the SBP would probably have the likes of AJ in there. If they go all PBA and fail, all the heat is on the PBA. If they get guys from other leagues then things dissipate.

The only overseas players SBP badly needed are Kai, AJ, Dwight and Abando… others can be replicated by PBA players…. Oftana can bring what Parks can bring to the table… Malonzo can bring what Tamayo can do, Perez, Scottie, Newsome are enough to be in Gilas slot.. Junmar is no question… we badly need Junmar until 2027/2028 (if qualified for LA Olympics), If baltazar enters PBA next season then SBP will tap him too…

 

[IPC2]

The only overseas players SBP badly needed are Kai, AJ, Dwight and Abando… others can be replicated by PBA players…. Oftana can bring what Parks can bring to the table… Malonzo can bring what Tamayo can do, Perez, Scottie, Newsome are enough to be in Gilas slot.. Junmar is no question… we badly need Junmar until 2027/2028 (if qualified for LA Olympics), If baltazar enters PBA next season then SBP will tap him too…

If Ange is our NP, I think June Mar is not indispensable. Otherwise, I have to agree that we might need him, although we need to watch his age (he was born November 1989, making him 34 now, 37 by the 2027 WC, and 38 by the 2028 Olympics).

As for the four, the PBA does not have a big four. They have Troy, yes, but he's a poor FIBA player. Like I said, they have ZERO reliable FIBA-eligible options at 4 outside of Brownlee and the recently-retired Japeth. If our NP occupies the 1, 2, or 3 slots, I think we need one of Carl or Balti as an extra body at 4. And by the way, Malonzo provides shooting, help defense, and some perimeter D. Carl provides post scoring, shot creation, post defense, and size at the 4. Different skillsets, but we need Malonzo's defense at 3 and Carl's size at 4 (if Brownlee's not the NP).

Oftana is a reliable defender and hustles for boards, but he's not the shooter Parks is. Name a reliable FIBA-eligible shooter in the PBA not named Terrence Romeo (who's 31) and Marcio Lassiter (who's 36). Heck, Pogoy, who had a good outing last WC, is 31. Our best shooters are not in the PBA. They're Parks and Heading.

And lastly, a lot of our reliable PBA players are aging or old. Castro's 37, Marcio's 36, Abueva's 35, June Mar's 34, Newsome's 33, Terrence is 31, Scottie is 30, Perez is 30. We need youth. Good thing the PBA has Navarro, Oftana, and Malonzo as good 26-27yo players. While Schonny (25), Tuffin (26), and maybe Mamuyac (24) can be reliable, we need to test them in FIBA first, and except for Mamu, they're not that young. The overseas guys provide the youth we need. Carl's 22, Kai's 21, AJ's 23, SJ's 24, RJ's 24. We need to be selective in which 30+-year-olds to retain.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

I don't mind Terrence, as he can score and shoot (just need a good defender alongside him), and he'll be 32 by March 2024, but Abueva will be 36 by the time of the February qualifiers, and he's only 6'2". But if he can still defend bigger wings, fine.

Abueva may be 4 years older than Romeo but it looks like Abueva is more in prime than Romeo. Romeo has become injury prone in the last 4 years of his career while Abueva hardly gets injured.

Abueva has hardly showed any signs of slowing down.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

The only overseas players SBP badly needed are Kai, AJ, Dwight and Abando… others can be replicated by PBA players…. Oftana can bring what Parks can bring to the table… Malonzo can bring what Tamayo can do, Perez, Scottie, Newsome are enough to be in Gilas slot.. Junmar is no question… we badly need Junmar until 2027/2028 (if qualified for LA Olympics), If baltazar enters PBA next season then SBP will tap him too…

22-year old Carl Tamayo needs FIBA exposure so as to further enhance his serviceability with the national team. This guy has missed several FIBA & international meets like the 2023 World Cup & the 2023 Asian Games ,& if only he didn't back down from Gilas training for the 2023 World Cup, who knows he might have made it to the final 12-man roster. Such a missed opportunity to gain experience in high level basketball.

This guy could be a vital component of Gilas for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

If Ange is our NP, I think June Mar is not indispensable. Otherwise, I have to agree that we might need him, although we need to watch his age (he was born November 1989, making him 34 now, 37 by the 2027 WC, and 38 by the 2028 Olympics).

As for the four, the PBA does not have a big four. They have Troy, yes, but he's a poor FIBA player. Like I said, they have ZERO reliable FIBA-eligible options at 4 outside of Brownlee and the recently-retired Japeth. If our NP occupies the 1, 2, or 3 slots, I think we need one of Carl or Balti as an extra body at 4. And by the way, Malonzo provides shooting, help defense, and some perimeter D. Carl provides post scoring, shot creation, post defense, and size at the 4. Different skillsets, but we need Malonzo's defense at 3 and Carl's size at 4 (if Brownlee's not the NP).

Oftana is a reliable defender and hustles for boards, but he's not the shooter Parks is. Name a reliable FIBA-eligible shooter in the PBA not named Terrence Romeo (who's 31) and Marcio Lassiter (who's 36). Heck, Pogoy, who had a good outing last WC, is 31. Our best shooters are not in the PBA. They're Parks and Heading.

And lastly, a lot of our reliable PBA players are aging or old. Castro's 37, Marcio's 36, Abueva's 35, June Mar's 34, Newsome's 33, Terrence is 31, Scottie is 30, Perez is 30. We need youth. Good thing the PBA has Navarro, Oftana, and Malonzo as good 26-27yo players. While Schonny (25), Tuffin (26), and maybe Mamuyac (24) can be reliable, we need to test them in FIBA first, and except for Mamu, they're not that young. The overseas guys provide the youth we need. Carl's 22, Kai's 21, AJ's 23, SJ's 24, RJ's 24. We need to be selective in which 30+-year-olds to retain.

I just hope that Ricky Vargas & Al Panlilio realize that the current best Gilas prospects in the PBA are not that young anymore & some are at the twilight of their careers. Maybe Vargas & Panlilio think Junmsr is only 28, or Abueva is 26, or Iskati Thompson is 25, or CJ Perez is 25, or Chris Newsome is 27, or Marcio Lassiter is 28 or Romeo is 27.

Most (if not all) Pinoy posters here in IBN have a good idea of the current ages of the aforementioned players.

 

[Rds2]

22-year old Carl Tamayo needs FIBA exposure so as to further enhance his serviceability with the national team. This guy has missed several FIBA & international meets like the 2023 World Cup & the 2023 Asian Games ,& if only he didn't back down from Gilas training for the 2023 World Cup, who knows he might have made it to the final 12-man roster. Such a missed opportunity to gain experience in high level basketball.

This guy could be a vital component of Gilas for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

I agree. The B league has a Fiba break. I don't know if they have insurance for Fiba games or does SBP need to shoulder it?

 

[ARMIR2]

I agree. The B league has a Fiba break. I don't know if they have insurance for Fiba games or does SBP need to shoulder it?

Isn't that the issue when the Bleaguers were asking for some insurance money,because they were asked to play during the Bleague season?But since its a season break,money wise it would be cheaper,it shouldn't be an issue this time around.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

22-year old Carl Tamayo needs FIBA exposure so as to further enhance his serviceability with the national team. This guy has missed several FIBA & international meets like the 2023 World Cup & the 2023 Asian Games ,& if only he didn't back down from Gilas training for the 2023 World Cup, who knows he might have made it to the final 12-man roster. Such a missed opportunity to gain experience in high level basketball.

This guy could be a vital component of Gilas for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

The problem is that most of overseas players are not committed 100% to Gilas.. you have to glad guys like Ramos or the Ravena bros (even fans didn’t like them) because they are committed to Gilas… others are want to have certain conditions just to play for Gilas… if they don’t want to committed atleast 90% then let’s move on from them… Gilas have more back up players to replace them…

 

[IPC2]

The problem is that most of overseas players are not committed 100% to Gilas.. you have to glad guys like Ramos or the Ravena bros (even fans didn’t like them) because they are committed to Gilas… others are want to have certain conditions just to play for Gilas… if they don’t want to committed atleast 90% then let’s move on from them… Gilas have more back up players to replace them…

From what I recall, you can say the same about the PBA. Not the players, but the league itself. 2015, and 2017-2022, the league had player availability issues, as well as the scheduling.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

Keep a few players that are 30+ years of age just to backstop and guide our young players, but yeah, we need to focus on youth now. We have Dwight, AJ, Kai, RJ, SJ, Carl, who are good pieces with which to build a core. Then recall Oftana, Navarro, Malonzo, and then call up Schonny Winston and Ken Tuffin.

Problem is, like sir C2Hamm said, SBP have proven to be incredibly shortsighted. Hopefully, they play the long game this time.

Shortsighted & lacks the knowhow on how to do things right. As what I've said a few days ago, Al Panlilio & Ricky Vargas might not even be aware of the current ages of Gilas players. perhaps they think Junmar is 27, Iskati Thompson is 25, CJ Perez is 24, AJ Edu is 29 & Dwight Ramos is 30. ​

 

[IPC2]

The problem is that most of overseas players are not committed 100% to Gilas.. you have to glad guys like Ramos or the Ravena bros (even fans didn’t like them) because they are committed to Gilas… others are want to have certain conditions just to play for Gilas… if they don’t want to committed atleast 90% then let’s move on from them… Gilas have more back up players to replace them…

Also, after the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, how many overseas players were called up? Kai (August 2022, November 2022, February 2023, World Cup), Carl (February window, WC), Dwight (all windows + WC), the Ravena brothers (all windows + WC), AJ (WC), JC (August 2022 window + WC), Heading (February 2023 window, WC), Abando (World Cup), and that's it. Of that group, only Carl and Kai begged off in the February window, and Carl and Heading begged off from the World Cup. That's just four total instances of players begging off out of the three windows + the World Cup.

In order for the overseas players' commitment to be tested, they have to be called up first. I have yet to see SJ, RJ, Gutang, Wright, Dave Ildefonso, and Greg Slaughter called up to the NT since August (although to be fair, I think that it's fine that Wright and Greg aren't called up, except as a last resort).

 

[DAdmiral2]

Philips should be fielded for OQT where no Asian team will oppose his participation eligibility.
again foresight..if only...

 

[DAdmiral2]

Giannis34GOD really emphasize the rare exception cases, rather than more the consistency norm of what history has shown. Yes Oceania teams have been beaten, yes pBA players have been available yes B league players have declined, but these are exceptions, not the norm of what consistently happens.