Maybe in James Yap's case, it was sort of him not able to adjust to the FIBA game which of course is different from the PBA game. Maybe Big Game James needed more FIBA or international games for him to really get comfortable with it. But for me, Yap's downside is his defense. When compared to the likes of Hontiveros, Lassiter & Newsome in terms of defensive skills, Yap is obviously inferior.
Also, Yap is a volume shooter in which in a national team set up in which madami ang scorers, such characteristic by a player won't be good for the team.
That's actually part of the rationale as to why I don't think it would be wise to add a guy like Arvin Tolentino to the Gilas pool right now. He's a volume scorer. I dunno how he would perform with lower volume. Another big part is that his defense isn't the best, especially in a position (the wing) where I think defense should be a priority.
Another downside of him is he gets easily intimated and disrupted when the opposition is better. He can slash yes but he can't finish his shots.
This is why appreciate both Baguio and Caguioa because they can bring their game in the PBA in international.
I always want to look at our national team rosters since 2000. I tried to form a team that can win gold in FIBA-Asia. After looking back, these are the players that I think that can win the us gold:
Guards:
- Jimmy Alapag
- Jason Castro
- Mark Caguioa
- Cyrus Baguio
- Chris Newsome
Forwards:
- Dwight Ramos
- Gabe Norwood
- RDO
- Marc Pingris
- Kelly Williams
Bigs:
- Andray Blatche
- Kai Sotto/AJ Edu
Mema lang.
I feel Oftana & Malonzo can do a better job on defense at the 3 spot than Arvin Tolentino.
Same, kapag bored sa office. Lol
Allow me to share my own fantasy national team lineup too.
Guards:
Jason Castro 5’10
Chris Newsome 6’2
Mark Caguioa 6’0
Dwight Ramos 6’4
Jordan Heading 6’2
Wings:
Gabe Norwood 6’5
Danny Seigle (pre-injury) 6’6
Kelly Williams (Sta Lucia days) 6’6
Tony Dela Cruz 6’5 **Reserve
Bigs:
Andray Blatche (prime/fit) 6’11
Kai Sotto 7’2
AJ Edu 6’10
Junmar Fajardo 6’10
Head Coach: Tab Baldwin
Asst. Coaches: Tim Cone and Jong Uichico
I feel that right now, Will Navarro's our best wing defender. More proven man defender than Oftana and Malonzo, and a good team defender as well.
Hope Oftana and Malonzo can at least bring it on defense so that we can limit dribble penetration. That will especially come in handy when neither of Kai, AJ, JB, or Japeth are on the floor.
Same, kapag bored sa office. Lol
Allow me to share my own fantasy national team lineup too.
Guards:
Jason Castro 5’10
Chris Newsome 6’2
Mark Caguioa 6’0
Dwight Ramos 6’4
Jordan Heading 6’2
Wings:
Gabe Norwood 6’5
Danny Seigle (pre-injury) 6’6
Kelly Williams (Sta Lucia days) 6’6
Tony Dela Cruz 6’5 **Reserve
Bigs:
Andray Blatche (prime/fit) 6’11
Kai Sotto 7’2
AJ Edu 6’10
Junmar Fajardo 6’10
Head Coach: Tab Baldwin
Asst. Coaches: Tim Cone and Jong Uichico
The wing trio of DS, KWill and Gabe is a big what if for me. We only saw them in 2007. DS, Cyrus and MC were not given more chances to play for our national team when they deserve it.
The wing trio of DS, KWill and Gabe is a big what if for me. We only saw them in 2007. DS, Cyrus and MC were not given more chances to play for our national team when they deserve it.
Yes, sir. What could have been? Kelly’s sickness and Seigle’s achilles injury. Matchups with El Khatib and Bahrami would be exciting since DS and KWill also got firepower. And Skyrus, man he is like a whirlwind in the 2009 FIBA Asia Cup. Always wondered why he wasn’t invited in the succeeding iterations.
DS is our best match up against fadi. Would've been an awesome rivalry
Both in their primes and barring injuries, who do you got SK? Who has the edge between those two legends.
Same, kapag bored sa office. Lol
Allow me to share my own fantasy national team lineup too.
Guards:
Jason Castro 5’10
Chris Newsome 6’2
Mark Caguioa 6’0
Dwight Ramos 6’4
Jordan Heading 6’2
Wings:
Gabe Norwood 6’5
Danny Seigle (pre-injury) 6’6
Kelly Williams (Sta Lucia days) 6’6
Tony Dela Cruz 6’5 **Reserve
Bigs:
Andray Blatche (prime/fit) 6’11
Kai Sotto 7’2
AJ Edu 6’10
Junemar Fajardo 6’10
Head Coach: Tab Baldwin
Asst. Coaches: Tim Cone and Jong Uichico
Starting 5:
Castro
Ramos
Norwood
Blatche
Edu
Has enough size and length to compete in the World level.
Got shooters with Heading, Ramos, TDLC, Blatche and Castro.
Newsome, Ramos, Gabe, Kelly and TDLC can stymie dribble penetrations. Heading and Caguioa are both underrated defenders to some extent.
Transition offense with Castro, Caguioa and KWill can be fruitful because AJ and Junemar are efficient defensive rebounders.
They can create mismatches with a prime Dynamite Danny and Andray. The Blur and The Spark can also improvise if the offensive playbook is sputtering.
Jason and Kai pick and roll action will be fun. The veteran version of Junemar can generate easy buckets and draw fouls if the match ups are favorable.
A healthy AJ, motivated Kai and a fit Blatche can hold their own against best big man out there.
Newsome has proven himself that he can be the main ball handler against teams like Latvia. Him and Dwight can spell Jason at the point guard spot defending on the matchups.
All in all, the physical attributes, skills and experience needed are all here. To top the Asia championships. In my opinion, with enough preparation (at least 1-2 months) this squad can beat Australia, with some luck of course.
Is this from 2000s or we can include from past national team players since 1900s? Allan Caidic (the best shooter of Philippines all time), Johnny Abbarientos (best PG of Philippines all time) and late great Caloy Loyzaga (most accomplished Pinoy baller all time) should be in discussion if we talk all time best players who played for our national team...
Is this from 2000s or we can include from past national team players since 1900s? Allan Caidic (the best shooter of Philippines all time), Johnny Abbarientos (best PG of Philippines all time) and late great Caloy Loyzaga (most accomplished Pinoy baller all time) should be in discussion if we talk all time best players who played for our national team...
I only considered national team players from 2000s onwards like Sir Ja.he.
Ok.. but since all of you didn't put from 2000s then I just wondering.. but in terms of all time, Johnny A., Caidic and Loyzaga should always be there in our all time best players played for Philippines... If those 3 will play in this era, they will always be part of our national team in any Fiba games..Caidic for instance, we are dreaming to have very consistent shooter, Caidic will provide that in any era...
2000/2000's is the reckoning point I picked for two reasons:
First, this is the period where the Philippines decided to send an all-pro team in a FIBA-sanctioned event.
Second, this is the period where I can vividly remember players performing on both pro and the national team. Therefore, I can have a more precise view in my post.
Make no mistake about it, I was able to watch the likes of Caidic, Samboy Lim, Jolas, Benjie, and even Jawo in the PBA but I was a little kid back then. I was not able to watch them playing for our national team in the Asian Games.