Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[JAMSKIE]

With the way he plays defense, I see Ken Tuffin as Gabe Norwood's successor in Gilas. Tuffin may not be as athletic & quick as a prime Norwood but I think his defensive skills is within the level of Gabe, plus Tuffin has a better 3-pt shooting than Gabe.

I think among Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana, Will Navarro & Tuffin, Dwight is the best offensive player, while I believe it is Tuffin who is the best defensive player. On the other hand, in terms of 3-point shooting, Oftana is I think the best among the 4.

[IPC]

I think we need to get younger. Here's the birthdates of the pool of everybody who was in the pool from February 2022 to October 2023.

1982: Kelly
1983: Ryan Reyes
1985: Ross (ineligible)
1986: Pringle (ineligible), Castro
1987: Japeth (retired), Marcio, Maliksi
1988: Abueva, Brownlee (NP)
1989: Heruela, Tautuaa (ineligible), CStand (ineligible), Erram, Almazan, June Mar
1990: MGR, Newsome, Gab Banal
1991: Wright, CBC, Khobuntin, Alas, Sangalang
1992: Troy, Romeo, Pogoy, Jalalon, Clarkson (NP), Perkins (ineligible)
1993: Parks, Scottie, Kiefer, Perez
1994: Adams, BGR (ineligible)
1995: Alejandro, Bolick, Arvin
1996: Heading, Oftana, Go, Montalbo, Malonzo, Gray (ineligible), Black, Thirdy, Rangel
1997: Tungcab, Navarro, Kouame (NP)
1998: Winston, Abando, Ramos, Lastimosa
1999: Belangel, Abarrientos, B. Phillips, Juan GDL
2000: Edu
2001: Tamayo, Quiambao, Chiu
2002: Kai, M. Phillips
2003: Lopez
2004: Mason
2005: Harris

A lot of veterans here, a lot of whom might be too old for 2027, or even 2025. We need to focus more on those who were born 1996 and after. Keep only a few who were born 1995 and before, unless they're still capable in FIBA at their positions.

Disclaimer: Kelly, Troy, Castro, MGR, Reyes, Banal, Montalbo, Heruela, Alejandro, Khobuntin are there because Chot needed chemistry for the February window.

[DAdmiral]

I see the Spurs , and PG discussion has spilled here, my apologies for continuing the OT and joining in ( I'm sure the mods will be Ok with some activity in IBN lol)

1st of all , the Spurs are not expected to be a playoff team this year, so having a lottery pick next draft does make sense. ( As Manu mentioned let's be patient and were 3 years away from competing seriously) , it's of little value to get wins and just be a mediocre play in level team this season ( that's not the goal)

Tre Jones is NOT the starting PG that will make us in to contender level (he's a good back-up at best)
Sochan while may never be a PG has the upside to be a starting point forward for a contending Spurs team, ( so giving him the reps exposure now does make sense)

Wemby at 19 as a rookie is avg 20 pts a game , LBJ 1st 10 games a rookie avg 16 pts a game, Just like LBJ there will be lots of cirticisim with the overhype, etc, I'm not here to argue who that Wemby is better as rookie than LBJ, but only to say I'm confident Wemby in 3 years will be All NBA team 1st or 2nd team material. ( and a solid two way player contending for DPOY regularly) , that's certainly a decent level star to build around ( it will take time though)

We can argue all we want around the pieces around Wemby , and how good they will be , all i will say is Vassel , Sochan and Collins (al lottery picks and under 25 yrs old) are definitly good pieces to put around Wemby

The Spurs future PG hasn't been recruited yet, they have 6 1st round picks in the next 3 years, (hope is we find one there , or I'm sure an elite free agent PG would want to pair up with Wemby)

lastly at least we have light at the end of the tunnel, with Wemby's arrival, yes no gurantees if we got to the promise land , but we have hope unlike a year ago LOL

[hmbopbaduwap]

Jeffery Moore reaches out for help

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/11/16/2311878/forgotten-naturalized-stepkids

The other day, Moore reached out appealing for assistance from anyone who still remembers how he sacrificed for the country nearly 40 years ago. He’s now 63 and in dire financial straits. “I’m in need of finance to get my basketball academy up and running so that will be how I make my living,” said Moore who has three kids and a grandchild. “I need help from those who are doing well. I’m willing to be a consultant for the new league (PSL) where Allan is the commissioner. I’m sure I’ve touched a lot of people’s hearts in the Philippines. It’s not like I’m asking for a kidney but if my teammates needed one, I would give mine.”

Moore said he’s creating a fund-raising account. “My purpose is to improve the lives of others but it just so happens I need some help at this moment,” he said. “Over the years, Filipinos would tell me the country owes a debt of gratitude for what we achieved. I’m not asking for a trillion dollars. It’s bizarre that Dennis and I are the forgotten stepkids. In the short term, I need $1,000 to pay some medical bills by the 20th of this month.”

Moore said he’s gone through hard times lately. A blow was paying $75,000 in back taxes and during the pandemic, he was critically ill and nearly died. “Dennis and I couldn’t understand why we never got a call back to play or visit or do a reunion or coach a team in the PBA,” he said. “I never complained about playing hurt or sacrificing a career to be on the Philippine team. The plan was for coach Ron, Dennis and me to have a career in the Philippines after the national team. But it never happened. With all that we accomplished, one could only imagine how it would’ve been. Now, I need you guys to help me with whatever you can find in your heart. Maybe, a fund-raiser to donate $5 or $10 and you’d be surprised what generous people can do to show appreciation for what we did to bring back the credibility of basketball to the Philippines.”

[JAMSKIE]

It seems Philippine basketball has some shortage of talents at the 2-guard or shooting guard position in the 24-year old & under age bracket. Who are the top shooting guards or 2-guards in college basketball right now who are national team potentials? I mean FIBA eligible players.

Maybe CJ Cansino is one. Who else?

It's quite uncharacteristic for Phi basketball that we would be running out of young talents at the 2-guard spot when that position is used to be our strength.

[IPC]

It seems Philippine basketball has some shortage of talents at the 2-guard or shooting guard position in the 24-year old & under age bracket. Who are the top shooting guards or 2-guards in college basketball right now who are national team potentials? I mean FIBA eligible players.

Maybe CJ Cansino is one. Who else?

It's quite uncharacteristic for Phi basketball that we would be running out of young talents at the 2-guard spot when that position is used to be our strength.

Miguel Oczon of St. Benilde is the only other name I can think of in the off-guard spot. He's 23. Problem is, he's only a 6-footer.

[Rodbi]

It seems like most of our FIBA-eligible collegiate guards have become the combo-type. Almost same profile, they're mostly sub or barely six footers but are pegged to play both guard positions. There's not too many of those 6'2" and above 2's these days.

[r1ck]

Miguel Oczon of St. Benilde is the only other name I can think of in the off-guard spot. He's 23. Problem is, he's only a 6-footer.

As for the shooting guard position, we have some notable 25 and under players that stand 6'2" and above.

In the PBA the youngest two guards in the league are Gian Mamuyac of ROS (6'2" 24 y/o) Deschon Winston of Converge (6'3" 25 y/o) and Javi GDL (6'3" 25y/o)

While in the other Asian leagues we have shooting guards in Rhenz Abando (6'2" 25 y/o), Dwight Ramos (6'4" 25 y/o) and Dave Ildefonso (6'3" 23 y/o).

In the UAAP you have former batang gilas players in Renzo Competente of FEU (6'2" 18 y/o), Kyle Gambler of Ateneo (6'3" 18 y/o), Jared Abadam of DLSU (6'4" 19y/o). We can also include UST's Nic Cabanero (6'2" 20 y/o), Chico Briones of UP (6'6" 21 y/o), and Kiefer Alas of De La Salle Zobel (6'2" 17 y/o) in there.

While in the NCAA I can only think of RC Calimag of San Beda (6'2" 21 y/o)

[Metta]

I would add Jacob Bayla 6'5" 17 y/o(?) and Joshua Coronel 6'4" 18 y/o(?). Even Edryn Morales 6'4" from Batang Gilas U16 plays as a guard in the US. And lastly, I think Gemao is a natural shooting guard, hopefully either he grows some more or converts seamlessly to pg.

We are loaded at the 18ish year old age group.

[JAMSKIE]

As for the shooting guard position, we have some notable 25 and under players that stand 6'2" and above.

In the PBA the youngest two guards in the league are Gian Mamuyac of ROS (6'2" 24 y/o) Deschon Winston of Converge (6'3" 25 y/o) and Javi GDL (6'3" 25y/o)

While in the other Asian leagues we have shooting guards in Rhenz Abando (6'2" 25 y/o), Dwight Ramos (6'4" 25 y/o) and Dave Ildefonso (6'3" 23 y/o).

In the UAAP you have former batang gilas players in Renzo Competente of FEU (6'2" 18 y/o), Kyle Gambler of Ateneo (6'3" 18 y/o), Jared Abadam of DLSU (6'4" 19y/o). We can also include UST's Nic Cabanero (6'2" 20 y/o), Chico Briones of UP (6'6" 21 y/o), and Kiefer Alas of De La Salle Zobel (6'2" 17 y/o) in there.

While in the NCAA I can only think of RC Calimag of San Beda (6'2" 21 y/o)

Winston is I think only 6-foot-1 (I can't understand how the media has padded his height to 6-foot-4), while Javi GDL is around 6-foot-4. Javi however is not a 2-guard/shooting guard but more of a small forward much like a Calvin Oftana. I think Nic Caba

[JAMSKIE]

I would add Jacob Bayla 6'5" 17 y/o(?) and Joshua Coronel 6'4" 18 y/o(?). Even Edryn Morales 6'4" from Batang Gilas U16 plays as a guard in the US. And lastly, I think Gemao is a natural shooting guard, hopefully either he grows some more or converts seamlessly to pg.

We are loaded at the 18ish year old age group.

Bayla & Gemao are impressive but 6-foot-4 Edryn Morales wasn't that impressive with Batang Gilas U-16 which placed a strong 4th place in the recent 2023 FIBA Asia U-16 Championship. But of course Morales is still very young at 16 & have plenty of room for improvement. Morales is athletic & at 6-foot-4, could be a good size wingman. He has to work hard in developing his skills, particularly shooting, dribbling & defense.

[JAMSKIE]

Miguel Oczon of St. Benilde is the only other name I can think of in the off-guard spot. He's 23. Problem is, he's only a 6-footer.

Is his stats in the NCAA impressive enough?

[Rds]

Bayla & Gemao are impressive but 6-foot-4 Edryn Morales wasn't that impressive with Batang Gilas U-16 which placed a strong 4th place in the recent 2023 FIBA Asia U-16 Championship. But of course Morales is still very young at 16 & have plenty of room for improvement. Morales is athletic & at 6-foot-4, could be a good size wingman. He has to work hard in developing his skills, particularly shooting, dribbling & defense.

Correct me if I'm wrong. It was only Morales who was able to score on drives against the bigger teams. He was 2/2 in the paint against Oz. And both of those are drives IRC. The guy seems to have some athleticism and agility. If you ask me in the batch he has the best potential to be an SF. He is probably playing that in the US. Daja plays C here, he has a lot to catchup.

[Metta]

Bayla & Gemao are impressive but 6-foot-4 Edryn Morales wasn't that impressive with Batang Gilas U-16 which placed a strong 4th place in the recent 2023 FIBA Asia U-16 Championship. But of course Morales is still very young at 16 & have plenty of room for improvement. Morales is athletic & at 6-foot-4, could be a good size wingman. He has to work hard in developing his skills, particularly shooting, dribbling & defense.

He was playing out of position with batang gilas. It's all about potential, at 16 and 6'4, he is getting reps playing as a guard in the US.

Point is, there is no shortage of potential shooting guards with good height and young age. High upside guys. Whether we develop them optimally is another matter, they are not hinog which quite a few has no patience with.

[JAMSKIE]

He was playing out of position with batang gilas. It's all about potential, at 16 and 6'4, he is getting reps playing as a guard in the US.

Point is, there is no shortage of potential shooting guards with good height and young age. High upside guys. Whether we develop them optimally is another matter, they are not hinog which quite a few has no patience with.

Ah OK. Maybe I just expected more from Morales than what he brought to Batang Gilas U-16 team, especially statistics wise.

Kiefer Alas was just outstanding in that tournament that it seems he is way ahead of his wingman teammates in the team skills wise. I also expected more from the Amos guy (I think he is Mason Amos' younger brother).