Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[mathematicianrcg2]

My Gilas Senior National Team Priority list

NP
1. JC
2. Kouame

LOCALS

1. Kai Sotto - Self Explanatory

2. AJ Edu (Healthy) - Self Explanatory

3. Dwight Ramos - Perfect fit in Coach Tab's system His skillset and playstyle really get a boost under coach tabs system. He is a great Complementray player too.

4. Kiefer Ravena - As a former hater of him in 2019. I am willing to admit he is the best available local PG right now for Gilas.

5. Justine Baltazar - Balti is lowkey already a veteran (25-26 yrs old?). His transition from a Big to a Wing is crucial. As he have the height and size in Wing position.

6. Ray Parks - Literally our closest local player to reach nba before Kai arrived. Great 1V1 player. Can play off ball, and have the length and size for the guard position.

7. Carl Tamayo -Tough and Solid PF. Like Balti, he is transitioning into a Wing. Him and Balti will alternate positions.

8. Calvin Oftana - Right now, I will take him over Kobe. Oftana is more solid as a combo forward.

9. Will Navarro - Good perimeter and role player.

10. Lebron Lopez - (Developmental Player) - Yes, I will include him even if he is a teenager. To develop him faster.

BONUS:

Bolick or Panopio (A backup PG for Kiefer) - I did not rank because idk if Bolick will be available. If he is, I will put him same priority as Kiefer. If not, I want to test Dalph Panopio since he already have chemistry with Kai and AJ.

FOR SHOOTERS

Heading, Wright, and Pogoy, Tuffin would probably fight for those spots.

Probably, I forgot some players.

 

[DAdmiral2]

Question based on current level. Do you close games with a 5 and 4 combination of
A. Kai and Kouame
B or Kouame and Balti
Or C. Kai and Baltazar

 

[IPC2]

Question based on current level. Do you close games with a 5 and 4 combination of
A. Kai and Kouame
B or Kouame and Balti
Or C. Kai and Baltazar

Depends on the matchup, honestly.

If it's a two-big matchup, I'm going Kai and Kouame. I think Kouame is quick enough to guard the 4, and Kai might protect the rim at least as the 5. Plus, we have two post threats, although Kouame moreso right now, and can space the floor if Kai runs to the rim..

If we're facing a small-ball lineup, I'm bringing in the defensive combo of Kouame and Baltazar. Kouame guards the paint, and Baltazar guards the perimeter and just helps inside.

I'm loving this Gilas lineup. Can't believe that the bigs are our strongest point. Hope we can add to that by adding AJ, Quiambao, and some of the other bigs in the youth level.

 

[mathematicianrcg2]

question based on current level. Do you close games with a 5 and 4 combination of
a. Kai and kouame
b or kouame and balti
or c. Kai and baltazar

highly depends on matchup. Yes.

But to answer. Probably Kai and Kouame.

Maybe

C: Kai/Kouame
PF: Koaume/Kai
SF: Baltazar

Trio too if the matchup is right

 

[thatweirdguy2]

My Gilas Senior National Team Priority list

NP
1. JC
2. Kouame

LOCALS

1. Kai Sotto - Self Explanatory

2. AJ Edu (Healthy) - Self Explanatory

3. Dwight Ramos - Perfect fit in Coach Tab's system His skillset and playstyle really get a boost under coach tabs system. He is a great Complementray player too.

4. Kiefer Ravena - As a former hater of him in 2019. I am willing to admit he is the best available local PG right now for Gilas.

5. Justine Baltazar - Balti is lowkey already a veteran (25-26 yrs old?). His transition from a Big to a Wing is crucial. As he have the height and size in Wing position.

6. Ray Parks - Literally our closest local player to reach nba before Kai arrived. Great 1V1 player. Can play off ball, and have the length and size for the guard position.

7. Carl Tamayo -Tough and Solid PF. Like Balti, he is transitioning into a Wing. Him and Balti will alternate positions.

8. Calvin Oftana - Right now, I will take him over Kobe. Oftana is more solid as a combo forward.

9. Will Navarro - Good perimeter and role player.

10. Lebron Lopez - (Developmental Player) - Yes, I will include him even if he is a teenager. To develop him faster.

BONUS:

Bolick or Panopio (A backup PG for Kiefer) - I did not rank because idk if Bolick will be available. If he is, I will put him same priority as Kiefer. If not, I want to test Dalph Panopio since he already have chemistry with Kai and AJ.

FOR SHOOTERS

Heading, Wright, and Pogoy, Tuffin would probably fight for those spots.

Probably, I forgot some players.

I have the same list though I'd replace Lebron with Thirdy if we ne need impact players. Can do a bit of everything except shoot..

 

[PaVi2]

Well, both Go and Navarro have the size, skills and intelligence. They can be magic hugots perfect for the 11th and 12th spots of Gilas team.

Agree. They're perfect for the position. In fact, Navarro can fight for 7-10 spot. Only Go is the virtual inspirational/ motivational/ steady leader that is for spot 11-12. Nonetheless, an important piece for this Gilas team.

 

[DAdmiral2]

The critical teams we need to beat (winnable games) are teams like Domincan Republic and New Zealand. So question again if it's that kind of a team. Versatile bigs. Which 5 and 4 combination do you close with? (Not all the time obviously)

 

[PaVi2]

My Gilas Senior National Team Priority list

NP
1. JC
2. Kouame

LOCALS

1. Kai Sotto - Self Explanatory

2. AJ Edu (Healthy) - Self Explanatory

3. Dwight Ramos - Perfect fit in Coach Tab's system His skillset and playstyle really get a boost under coach tabs system. He is a great Complementray player too.

4. Kiefer Ravena - As a former hater of him in 2019. I am willing to admit he is the best available local PG right now for Gilas.

5. Justine Baltazar - Balti is lowkey already a veteran (25-26 yrs old?). His transition from a Big to a Wing is crucial. As he have the height and size in Wing position.

6. Ray Parks - Literally our closest local player to reach nba before Kai arrived. Great 1V1 player. Can play off ball, and have the length and size for the guard position.

7. Carl Tamayo -Tough and Solid PF. Like Balti, he is transitioning into a Wing. Him and Balti will alternate positions.

8. Calvin Oftana - Right now, I will take him over Kobe. Oftana is more solid as a combo forward.

9. Will Navarro - Good perimeter and role player.

10. Lebron Lopez - (Developmental Player) - Yes, I will include him even if he is a teenager. To develop him faster.

BONUS:

Bolick or Panopio (A backup PG for Kiefer) - I did not rank because idk if Bolick will be available. If he is, I will put him same priority as Kiefer. If not, I want to test Dalph Panopio since he already have chemistry with Kai and AJ.

FOR SHOOTERS

Heading, Wright, and Pogoy, Tuffin would probably fight for those spots.

Probably, I forgot some players.

I like this lineup, except I am not too enamored with JC. He's been saying all the right words the past few years but nothing is really happening. So I think, for me, its better not to expect from him.

With Lebron, i don't think he is good enough to be considered as part of seniors. Lets give him the works in SEAG, ASEAN, and Jones Cup first. Afterwhich, let us reconsider.

In that regard, considering 2 slots are open, i choose Heading, and Go. And include Chiu in the pool.

 

[DAdmiral2]

Let's just say by June 2023 Kai is as good already as Kouame.
If this is the situation and you had to pick between Kouame and Clarkson as your NP. who would you pick?
Note in scenario where Kai is starting Center assume AJ is not ready yet . So your back up is Geo or Go

 

[PaVi2]

The critical teams we need to beat (winnable games) are teams like Domincan Republic and New Zealand. So question again if it's that kind of a team. Versatile bigs. Which 5 and 4 combination do you close with? (Not all the time obviously)

For me,
Dom Rep.
Its Kai and Aj

New Zealand
Its Kouame, and Aj

 

[PaVi2]

Let's just say by June 2023 Kai is as good already as Kouame.
If this is the situation and you had to pick between Kouame and Clarkson as your NP. who would you pick?
Note in scenario where Kai is starting Center assume AJ is not ready yet . So your back up is Geo or Go

For me, i will choose Kouame. I don't believe we will get approval for Clarkson. And even if we will, i can't get over the thought that Gilas will play out ala-Blatche - too instinctively reliant on JC. By that time, I believe chemistry with the Gilas pool is great. I would rather prefer that, than a superstar in the cast.

Remember, no matter how Green's team tried in the NBTC, they still lost in the well oiled NU baby bulldogs, in 2 consecutive years.

 

[DAdmiral2]

Additionally if Parks joins Gilas and allots 2 months to prepare instead of 2 weeks if Clarkson joins (NBA insurance). I think the 2 week hugot Clarkson situation is not ideal..

 

[Rodbi2]

My Gilas Senior National Team Priority list

NP
1. JC
2. Kouame

LOCALS

1. Kai Sotto - Self Explanatory

2. AJ Edu (Healthy) - Self Explanatory

3. Dwight Ramos - Perfect fit in Coach Tab's system His skillset and playstyle really get a boost under coach tabs system. He is a great Complementray player too.

4. Kiefer Ravena - As a former hater of him in 2019. I am willing to admit he is the best available local PG right now for Gilas.

5. Justine Baltazar - Balti is lowkey already a veteran (25-26 yrs old?). His transition from a Big to a Wing is crucial. As he have the height and size in Wing position.

6. Ray Parks - Literally our closest local player to reach nba before Kai arrived. Great 1V1 player. Can play off ball, and have the length and size for the guard position.

7. Carl Tamayo -Tough and Solid PF. Like Balti, he is transitioning into a Wing. Him and Balti will alternate positions.

8. Calvin Oftana - Right now, I will take him over Kobe. Oftana is more solid as a combo forward.

9. Will Navarro - Good perimeter and role player.

10. Lebron Lopez - (Developmental Player) - Yes, I will include him even if he is a teenager. To develop him faster.

BONUS:

Bolick or Panopio (A backup PG for Kiefer) - I did not rank because idk if Bolick will be available. If he is, I will put him same priority as Kiefer. If not, I want to test Dalph Panopio since he already have chemistry with Kai and AJ.

FOR SHOOTERS

Heading, Wright, and Pogoy, Tuffin would probably fight for those spots.

Probably, I forgot some players.

Solid line-up, but I think this roster needs a very capable go-to guy who can switch to bwakaw mode if needed to, in case Tab's plays won't work on some crucial moments of actual FIBA games. I don't see Parks and Kiefer as those guys right now, maybe because it's possible they'll carry over their current team player-mentality (and slightly diminished offensive capability) from the their respective B. League teams to Gilas.

 

[IPC2]

I actually can't wait for Balti to play internationally. He is our best home grown defender. He can even defend international centers a bit on switches. He needs more reps playing on the perimeter though.

He did have a tough time against Jakrawan and the MENA bigs, though. He'll defend better with experience and mentoring. And, yes, he'll have to spend more time in the perimeter. Good news is that he's switchable and versatile.

 

[IPC2]

Suerte and Bulanadi called up to Gilas pool for Feb window: https://www.facebook.com/1757959694461767/posts/3146667818924274/?sfnsn=mo

Their Gilas contracts expire this year, so they can play in the PBA.

Hope to see Bulanadi in the lineup, and I wanna see how he develops within Tab's system. Sucks that he got injured a lot. He had upside as a shooter and probably as a defender with his length.

 

[thatweirdguy2]

Solid line-up, but I think this roster needs a very capable go-to guy who can switch to bwakaw mode if needed to, in case Tab's plays won't work on some crucial moments of actual FIBA games. I don't see Parks and Kiefer as those guys right now, maybe because it's possible they'll carry over their current team player-mentality (and slightly diminished offensive capability) from the their respective B. League teams to Gilas.

Bolick fits the bill. A PG tandem of him and Kiefer would be awesome

 

[IPC2]

Bolick fits the bill. A PG tandem of him and Kiefer would be awesome

Bolick just needs to work on his efficiency. He's already a playmaker and a gutsy player, but he needs to be a bit more selective with his shots.

That said, his playmaking would give something that Gilas would badly need for their PGs, and he's confident enough for being a go-to-guy.

 

[Rodbi2]

Bolick fits the bill. A PG tandem of him and Kiefer would be awesome

A play-making combo guard and a volume-shooter point guard, both good-sized. That would be interesting. I'd like that team-up to be given a second chance after 3 years just to see if it's going to make a huge difference this time. I hope it does work as both are much more mature with their games now.

 

[tomcat2]

Let's just say by June 2023 Kai is as good already as Kouame.
If this is the situation and you had to pick between Kouame and Clarkson as your NP. who would you pick?
Note in scenario where Kai is starting Center assume AJ is not ready yet . So your back up is Geo or Go

A back-up naturalized player or a go-to-guy naturalized player? I'll go for JC..

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

There’s no doubt Bolick has game offensively but as per my observation I am not totally sold about the dudes defense be it locally or internationally, yes he had some few steals here and there but he still needs to be consistent on that part(defensively), maybe a stint in the B. League or KBL may somehow gave him some valuable experience on how to play proper defense on a FIBA level, overall I like him to be part of the pool for 2023 and beyond.