Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[IPC2]

Ping's strength was he was a versatile defender. He was short for a PF but his strength, length and tenacity made up for it. He was also versatile enough to switch to guards. However, in the end he was a complementary defensive player. He still needed to play alongside a rim protector. The center position is more important it seems in Fiba than in the NBA. There is no defensive 3 seconds so tall guys can camp in the paint and effectively stifle drives. In the NBA guys like Valenciunas are defensive liabilities but in their home teams in Fiba not as much. This experiment of Cone and Chua of not getting an NP center relies heavily on Kai's progression. I personally think it's a big risk. Good as the strides Kai has been making as of late I still can't imagine him being our main rim protector in Fiba. But we'll see in the Olympic Qualifiers where he will finally be matched up against 7 footers.

Yeah, let's see how Kai performs defensively in the OQT, against NZ in November and February, and in next year's FIBA Asia Cup to see if we can afford not getting a 4 (defensive-minded or two-way go-to guy) to protect the paint. I chose those tournaments, because I think that's how long JB will be playing with us. Otherwise, after JB retires, we will have to rely on our perimeter defenders (Dwight, Scottie, Oftana; I left out Newsome because he'll be 35 next year, and I don't know if he will continue) to prevent rim pressure if AJ is not on the floor.

And yes, the center position is very important in FIBA (really fitting the name of pivot), either as a rebounding presence, a rim protector, or a post presence, or any combination of those mentioned.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

It can be either or both, so long as you are a good defender as well. Ping's not exactly a cleanup guy (that was either Gabe, Douthit, or Blatche), but he anchored the defense for us, along with Gabe.

For me a defensive anchor is someone whose defense alone could make a significant difference in the game. Gabe Norwood is obviously like that. Gabe's defense was a difference maker for Gilas. I think Jean Mark Pingris is somewhat that kind of player as well, though not in the same level as Gabe. I think Pingris defense & toughness made a big difference in that historic win over South Korea in the semis of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

 

[DAdmiral2]

Hmm, a future defensive wing , ala Gabe. .. well hoping I've found one ..

 

[reamily2]

a defensive anchor can also be the one who talks on the court in defense and set as an example by doing what he preach..

 

[JAMSKIE2]

Hmm, a future defensive wing , ala Gabe. .. well hoping I've found one ..

I see a William Navarro & a Ken Tuffin as having the potential of becoming a good size defensive wingmen who are within the level of a Gabe Norwood in terms of defense. Unfortunately, none of them are in the current Gilas team of coach Tim.

 

[magic_chiongson2]

speaking of navarro, they need to include him in the oqt pool and other tournaments this year if fully healthy. he's already 27 and not getting any younger, they're gonna miss out on his prime if they only start considering him when he's already in his 30s

 

[IPC2]

Atleast boatwright is relatively young (27), good for atleast 2 fiba cycles.

SBP's budget must be tight these days, Boatwright is a downgrade from a prime blatch but its something..

With a lot of gilas players coming from overseas leagues, money had to be spread (RE:, insurance premiums)

So we will have to focus more on finding developing our own. We need to choose where to spend our money.

 

[IPC2]

So, we have these needs in the FIBA level that most likely should be filled by an NP:

1. Go-to guy
2. Interior defensive presence

These are the two biggest holes in our Gilas rosters, e.

In our context, we see a lot of scorers in the amateur the professional levels, but not much in terms of FIBA-eligible interior defenders in the FIBA level. And it's easier to develop go-to guys here, since we like scorers.

So if it's easier to develop go-to guys here, why haven't we developed a go-to guy in the level of at least a Jayson Castro?

 

[IPC2]

Gilas just named Mason and Japeth as alternates.

https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/gilas-men-bolster-pool-with-japeth-aguilar-mason-amos/298568

Welcome news. Mason for youth. Still has a lot to learn defensively, but he's a good shooter, and he'll turn 20 only this August. Japeth for additional rim protection and interior defense as well, which is a welcome addition considering that Kai, AJ, and Brownlee are our only capable interior defenders, and in addition, Kai's still developing on that end, and AJ's injury-prone.

 

[reamily2]

Gilas just named Mason and Japeth as alternates.

https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/gilas-men-bolster-pool-with-japeth-aguilar-mason-amos/298568

Welcome news. Mason for youth. Still has a lot to learn defensively, but he's a good shooter, and he'll turn 20 only this August. Japeth for additional rim protection and interior defense as well, which is a welcome addition considering that AJ's our only good interior defender (hopefully Kai will get there, he has been making strides in Japan).

SO its getting bigger na Bennie Japeth mason... hopefully they create a "team B".. And theres a clear line between core 12 and alternates and just like cone said players that will eventually make it..

 

[IPC2]

SO its getting bigger na Bennie Japeth mason... hopefully they create a "team B".. And theres a clear line between core 12 and alternates and just like cone said players that will eventually make it..

SBP are growing a brain, a. Building a roster plan, albeit slower than we'd like.

 

[reamily2]

SBP are growing a brain, a. Building a roster plan, albeit slower than we'd like.

Oe maybe we arwnt patient enough

 

[Silent Killer2]

Getting japeth? That's silly on SBP.. it contradicts their statement of not getting old players. Japeth is what? 37?

 

[thatweirdguy2]

Gilas just named Mason and Japeth as alternates.

https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/gilas-men-bolster-pool-with-japeth-aguilar-mason-amos/298568

Welcome news. Mason for youth. Still has a lot to learn defensively, but he's a good shooter, and he'll turn 20 only this August. Japeth for additional rim protection and interior defense as well, which is a welcome addition considering that Kai, AJ, and Brownlee are our only capable interior defenders, and in addition, Kai's still developing on that end, and AJ's injury-prone.

Ah so there is a pool now. Who says SBP is ran by dinosaurs.

 

[Silent Killer2]

Ah so there is a pool now. Who says SBP is ran by dinosaurs.

The happenings made cone realize to add few more than 12. But instead of getting young they add japeth.. let the guy retire. He doesnt fit to cone's plan

 

[IPC2]

Getting japeth? That's silly on SBP.. it contradicts their statement of not getting old players. Japeth is what? 37?

The happenings made cone realize to add few more than 12. But instead of getting young they add japeth.. let the guy retire. He doesnt fit to cone's plan

While I think Japeth's a useful addition in the short term, I also think that his addition should only be a quick fix.

Now, we still have JB, who can cover for Kai, June Mar, and Carl. While JB's still with us, we need to develop bigs who are capable defensively in the FIBA level. We need 196-203cm (6'5"-6'8") players who are quick enough, and have good instincts and length, are able to play PF, and help out on defense.

 

[thatweirdguy2]

The happenings made cone realize to add few more than 12. But instead of getting young they add japeth.. let the guy retire. He doesnt fit to cone's plan

Sorry I was being sarcastic as most people already thinks that it's foolish to just name 12 players.

The thing is we don't really have much of a choice especially if Boatwright is going to be our NP moving forward. Kinda like how Chot has Castro/ fat Blatche as his crutch TCs got Jap as there aren't really great options available and he's his guy at Ginebra.

 

[reamily2]

Tim Cone will name names now that he already set the tone on w ho is the main 12 and the rest of the guys that will be fighting for spot that will be left out by anyone from the core 12..

 

[magic_chiongson2]

While I think Japeth's a useful addition in the short term, I also think that his addition should only be a quick fix.

Now, we still have JB, who can cover for Kai, June Mar, and Carl. While JB's still with us, we need to develop bigs who are capable defensively in the FIBA level. We need 196-203cm (6'5"-6'8") players who are quick enough, and have good instincts and length, are able to play PF, and help out on defense.

ron harper jr is 6'5" with a 7'4" wingspan combo forward

 

[IPC2]

We still lack size on the wings, shooting , defense and good play making.

We basically need a LeBron type player to gap these holes

We can fill those holes with eligible locals as far as size at the wings, shooting, perimeter defense, and good playmaking is concerned. Heck, even the go-to guy, since the basketball culture here loves go-to guys. That is, if we can identify and develop kids to fit those profiles.