Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[IPC]

Actually its not the shooting % which was the issue of Wright playing for Gilas, its more like, "Where were U when we needed your 3-pt shooting the most?" I think the Gilas coaching staff were telling Wright: "The main reason why we picked U on this team becoz of your 3-pt shooting. Yet you are passing up too many open 3-pt shots".

Even in the PBA, I already see Wright as a choker in big moments. So what more in FIBA? And then the dip in form happened after the Aussie brawl.

[paliganibossalfrancis]

The most impact would be the addition of Coach Tim Cone, defensively they're much better. Chot is very creative offensively but struggles on the defensive end, so CTC really compliments Chot, and you have an "assistant coach" he can respect experience-wise, and they're buddies so CTC can outright tell him what's wrong and he'll listen agad. Plus having Malonzo,Jap and Iskati makes it easier for CTC to integrate his system

Great analysis. This current version of Gilas seems to play well against Asian counterparts. Let's see how they go against Japan's full lineup, Coach Goorijan's Boomers and European powerhouses. From those (hopefully we'll see some) tuneup games, we'll figure out what adjustments in the lineup they need to make. The respect our players have for Coach Tim Cone is evident that's why they play more disciplined and in sync. CTC holds them accountable.

[paliganibossalfrancis]

Even in the PBA, I already see Wright as a choker in big moments. So what more in FIBA? And then the dip in form happened after the Aussie brawl.

He's old. Already served the country multiple times. Time to let younger players take his spot. Time for him to focus on his BLeague career and save as much as he can before heading back to the PBA.

[IPC]

Quick question:

how different is Tab Baldwin's system and Chot Reyes/Tim Cone's system?

We've already seen Tab Baldwin coaching pros. He seems to rely heavily on isolation plays if he has players like Romeo, Castro & Blatche. 2 OQTs under him (all losses), 1 FIBA Asia silver medal (almost an outright Olympic qualification). Coach Tab coaching a Gilas team full of amateurs is a different story though... but although we get moral victories, we know an all-amateur team has no chance vs. powerhouse teams.

Meanwhile I like what I'm seeing with Chot/Tim Cone now. It seems like they're already figuring out how to get pros to play cohesively.

Actually, Tab also tends to use go-to guys in Ateneo. He's really a defensive specialists. Just happens to have simple counters to defensive schemes.

Defensively, Tab puts a little more emphasis on defending the perimeter on rotations. Cone's more of a protect the paint guy, but can get his guys to rotate to the perimeter, like Ginebra against the Dragons, and Gilas against Jordan.

[carmelo7]

Great analysis. This current version of Gilas seems to play well against Asian counterparts. Let's see how they go against Japan's full lineup, Coach Goorijan's Boomers and European powerhouses. From those (hopefully we'll see some) tuneup games, we'll figure out what adjustments in the lineup they need to make. The respect our players have for Coach Tim Cone is evident that's why they play more disciplined and in sync. CTC holds them accountable.

Yeah that's the thing with Coach Tim he demands nothing less than the highest of efforts, during interviews he would say the nicest things about his players but if you observe him live in action (courtside) he would give leeway for players to do their thing but if it doesnt work you'll hear it from him without the cursing all constructive. I hope all the players he needs he gets in 2023 because this Cone-Chot team up looks promising and has the backing of SMC as well hehe

[IPC]

Nah, KBL teams are not overly dependent on their imports unlike the bleague and pba na "asa sa import". Its the fastest league in asia, with their style the closest to the european leagues. Their local forwards are taller, more athletic, can dribble and can score outside compared to japanese and filipino locals.

To stop this debate, we will look no further that the 2019 EASL when SK Knights defeat Chiba Jets and KCC Egis defeated Utsonomiya Brex

Honestly, this is an area where Philippine basketball can improve, especially in terms of development. The forwards are tall but mobile, athletic, and perimeter-skilled. If we can scout for mobile 6'6"-6'8" locals, might need to train them for mobility and versatility on both offense and defense. Less of those types developed into traditional fours and/or fives, more of them developed into wings or even tweeners.

Take notes from the Koreans on this. They, and even the Japanese, are currently ahead of us on this. Yes, we have 6'6" Will Navarro and 6'6" Jamie Malonzo as wings, and 6'8" Carl Tamayo and 6'7" Justine Baltazar as more mobile tweener forwards, but we could produce and develop more of those.

[Silent Killer]

coaching rigodon in place for MVP Camp?

https://tbti.me/s22i66?fbclid=IwAR2OLbuKI0JU9G38njqTm7sryXsMaGXpnix3ilWPR0Jz-o2iZbS4z9Kupb0

[carmelo7]

Honestly, this is an area where Philippine basketball can improve, especially in terms of development. The forwards are tall but mobile, athletic, and perimeter-skilled. If we can scout for mobile 6'6"-6'8" locals, might need to train them for mobility and versatility on both offense and defense. Less of those types developed into traditional fours and/or fives, more of them developed into wings or even tweeners.

Take notes from the Koreans on this. They, and even the Japanese, are currently ahead of us on this. Yes, we have 6'6" Will Navarro and 6'6" Jamie Malonzo as wings, and 6'8" Carl Tamayo and 6'7" Justine Baltazar as more mobile tweener forwards, but we could produce and develop more of those.

I hope Konov,Gagate and Amos all of whom are atleast 6'7 along with future eligibles in Ballungy & Lucero can be those guys

[paliganibossalfrancis]

Honestly, this is an area where Philippine basketball can improve, especially in terms of development. The forwards are tall but mobile, athletic, and perimeter-skilled. If we can scout for mobile 6'6"-6'8" locals, might need to train them for mobility and versatility on both offense and defense. Less of those types developed into traditional fours and/or fives, more of them developed into wings or even tweeners.

Take notes from the Koreans on this. They, and even the Japanese, are currently ahead of us on this. Yes, we have 6'6" Will Navarro and 6'6" Jamie Malonzo as wings, and 6'8" Carl Tamayo and 6'7" Justine Baltazar as more mobile tweener forwards, but we could produce and develop more of those.

Those players you've mentioned are still raw in terms of playing the wing position as they are still being used as bigs most of the time. In short nalilito padin, well maybe except Jamie, who was always used to being a wing in back in the NCAA D1. As for our homegrown "wings" such as Carl, Justine and Will, they all started as bigs and was developed by Coach Tab in the Gilas Calambubble to be wings. Hopefully local coaches will follow suit and see the advantage of having lengthy wingmen. Although props to these players as theyve been working on their game already, adding a 3 point shot to their repertoire. Although most still need to work creating a long range shot off the dribble. Most of them still lack creativity and being an all-around threat like JC and BRP. Next on the list to be developed into wings from bigmen are Michael Philips, Will Gozum and Zavier Lucero. Imagine filling the shooting guard and small forward spots with these guys together with JC. Now that's a tall Gilas lineup with Wingmen 6'4 and up.

Tall Wingmen pool for 2025 and beyond:

SG: Kobe Paras
SG: Bobby Ray Parks Jr.
SG: Dwight Ramos
SG: Jordan Clarkson
SG: Calvin Oftana
SG: Ron Harper Jr.
SG: LeBron Lopez
SG: Caelum Harris
SG: Dave Ildefonso
SG: Kai Balungay
SG: Alec Stockton
SG: Chris Koon
SG: Tyrus Hill
SF: Javi Gomez de Liano
SF: Jeremiah Gray
SF: Arvin Tolentino
SF: Ken Tuffin
SF: Will Navarro
SF: Justine Baltazar
SF: Will Gozum
SF: Carl Tamayo
SF: Jamie Malonzo

Undersized wings:
SG: Jordan Heading
SG: Rhenz Abando
SG: James Spencer
SG: Thirdy Ravena
SF: David Murrell

Outgoing wings (getting old):
SF: Justin Brownlee
SG: Mikey Williams

[paliganibossalfrancis]

Actually, Tab also tends to use go-to guys in Ateneo. He's really a defensive specialists. Just happens to have simple counters to defensive schemes.

Defensively, Tab puts a little more emphasis on defending the perimeter on rotations. Cone's more of a protect the paint guy, but can get his guys to rotate to the perimeter, like Ginebra against the Dragons, and Gilas against Jordan.

No disrespect to Mike Nieto, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu and Isaac Go (Ateneo boys)... but if some other players were in their place during the FIBA OQT, like Jamie, Dwight (injured during that time), Rhenz Abando and JGDL, we could've beaten Serbia and Dominican Republic at least. I know they know coach Tab's system more than anybody else but they had no business playing at that level.

[IPC]

Those players you've mentioned are still raw in terms of playing the wing position as they are still being used as bigs most of the time. In short nalilito padin, well maybe except Jamie, who was always used to being a wing in back in the NCAA D1. As for our homegrown "wings" such as Carl, Justine and Will, they all started as bigs and was developed by Coach Tab in the Gilas Calambubble to be wings. Hopefully local coaches will follow suit and see the advantage of having lengthy wingmen. Although props to these players as theyve been working on their game already, adding a 3 point shot to their repertoire. Although most still need to work creating a long range shot off the dribble. Most of them still lack creativity and being an all-around threat like JC and BRP. Next on the list to be developed into wings from bigmen are Michael Philips, Will Gozum and Zavier Lucero. Imagine filling the shooting guard and small forward spots with these guys together with JC. Now that's a tall Gilas lineup with Wingmen 6'4 and up.

Tall Wingmen pool for 2025 and beyond:

SG: Kobe Paras
SG: Bobby Ray Parks Jr.
SG: Dwight Ramos
SG: Jordan Clarkson
SG: Calvin Oftana
SG: Ron Harper Jr.
SG: LeBron Lopez
SG: Caelum Harris
SG: Dave Ildefonso
SG: Kai Balungay
SG: Alec Stockton
SG: Chris Koon
SG: Tyrus Hill
SF: Javi Gomez de Liano
SF: Jeremiah Gray
SF: Arvin Tolentino
SF: Ken Tuffin
SF: Will Navarro
SF: Justine Baltazar
SF: Will Gozum
SF: Carl Tamayo
SF: Jamie Malonzo

Undersized wings:
SG: Jordan Heading
SG: Rhenz Abando
SG: James Spencer
SG: Thirdy Ravena
SF: David Murrell

Outgoing wings (getting old):
SF: Justin Brownlee
SG: Mikey Williams

Actually, I'm fine with Carl and Balti being fours, as they have the size for it. Balti can switch onto the perimeter, and Carl has shown signs of being able to switch. Even if they're PFs, the fact that they can competently switch onto perimeter players is enough, as is the fact that they have a perimeter skillset. Pingris, for example, was a 4/5 in FIBA, but he could still switch to the perimeter.

If we can recruit and develop 6'5"-6'6" SFs who can defend the wing, and 6'6"-6'8" PFs who can switch to the perimeter and help on defense, then that might be a good place to start.

Helping them be more versatile on offense couldn't hurt. 6'8" Carl handles the ball from the perimeter as a 4, and 6'6" Will Navarro can bring the ball up as a point forward. Hope we can develop more of these kinds of players as our basketball evolves.

[paliganibossalfrancis]

Actually, I'm fine with Carl and Balti being fours, as they have the size for it. Balti can switch onto the perimeter, and Carl has shown signs of being able to switch. Even if they're PFs, the fact that they can competently switch onto perimeter players is enough, as is the fact that they have a perimeter skillset. Pingris, for example, was a 4/5 in FIBA, but he could still switch to the perimeter.

If we can recruit and develop 6'5"-6'6" SFs who can defend the wing, and 6'6"-6'8" PFs who can switch to the perimeter and help on defense, then that might be a good place to start.

Helping them be more versatile on offense couldn't hurt. 6'8" Carl handles the ball from the perimeter as a 4, and 6'6" Will Navarro can bring the ball up as a point forward. Hope we can develop more of these kinds of players as our basketball evolves.

Speaking of development, what's the news on LeBron Lopez?

[Rds]

No disrespect to Mike Nieto, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu and Isaac Go (Ateneo boys)... but if some other players were in their place during the FIBA OQT, like Jamie, Dwight (injured during that time), Rhenz Abando and JGDL, we could've beaten Serbia and Dominican Republic at least. I know they know coach Tab's system more than anybody else but they had no business playing at that level.

It was obvious by then that the PBA had no intention of supporting Tab. You know the PBA only lent undersized bigs, Justine Chua and Raul Soyud. Even these latak guys could not reassure their presence in all practices. Tab was better off with the guys he had like Go and Chiu. He was proven right though. Balti was a revelation in those games. Except probably for the DR game was very good overall on defense. The PBA got embarrassed actually. It is good that Cone is involved with the team now. But there is no doubt Tab trumps him in Fiba. Us old timers still remember how our Centennial team, led by Cone, got defeated by China and SK despite having probably the best homegrown talent of any National team ever with some good Filfors with best preparation.

The only reason Cone is successful now in defending the 3 is that he has the most athletic bigs and forwards in his team in Japeth, CS, Malonzo and Gray. With the exception of Kouame, Tab's Gilas front court's athleticism pales but Tab was very good in defending the 3.

[sroth3839]

It was obvious by then that the PBA had no intention of supporting Tab. You know the PBA only lent undersized bigs, Justine Chua and Raul Soyud. Even these latak guys could not reassure their presence in all practices. Tab was better off with the guys he had like Go and Chiu. He was proven right though. Balti was a revelation in those games. Except probably for the DR game was very good overall on defense. The PBA got embarrassed actually. It is good that Cone is involved with the team now. But there is no doubt Tab trumps him in Fiba. Us old timers still remember how our Centennial team, led by Cone, got defeated by China and SK despite having probably the best homegrown talent of any National team ever with some good Filfors with best preparation.

The only reason Cone is successful now in defending the 3 is that he has the most athletic bigs and forwards in his team in Japeth, CS, Malonzo and Gray. With the exception of Kouame, Tab's Gilas front court's athleticism pales but Tab was very good in defending the 3.

More reason to believe Cone will get the HC job post-WC, especially with a likely SMC takeover of SBP.

[JAMSKIE]

I think Aaron Black deserves a Gilas call up, maybe not for the 2023 World Cup but for the post-2023 World Cup. This conference Black is averaging almost 13 pts., almost 6 rebs. (impressive for a point guard) & 4.5 assists per game. The guy will turn 26 tomorrow, in 2 or 3 yrs time he will reach his peak. I think he will be a good point guard prospect for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers & tournament proper. Kiefer at 29 isn't getting any younger. The same could be said on Iskati Thompson who is also 29 now. I think its just prudent to prepare the younger players for near future FIBA tournaments like the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup & 2027 FIBA World Cup. At 6-foot or 6-foot-1, Black is a good size PG.