Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[IPC]

I like AJ/Kouame rotation at the C spot a lot better than Kai/ AJ. Kai has been really bad lately to the point of unplayable because of his lack of D and no real advantage in offense.

With Kais perennial stamina problem and lack of growth and with AJs injury risk the importance of a center NP is highlighted.

Not just a center NP. A center NP who can defend. AJ and Ange are our only defenders at the 4/5 positions. Yes, we have Dwight, who can defend 2 to 4, but that's not enough.

We haven't had a local who can serve as a defensive presence at the 4/5 positions since Pingris. That is, until AJ came along, but he's also injury-prone.

That's why I really can't believe that we can easily toss Ange aside, when he's been one of our best defenders. I don't want another 30-point blowout where the opponent shoots 60% from the field and 70% from 3 (yes, I'm talking about the 2017 SoKor game).

[Rds]

Not just a center NP. A center NP who can defend. AJ and Ange are our only defenders at the 4/5 positions. Yes, we have Dwight, who can defend 2 to 4, but that's not enough.

We haven't had a local who can serve as a defensive presence at the 4/5 positions since Pingris. That is, until AJ came along, but he's also injury-prone.

That's why I really can't believe that we can easily toss Ange aside, when he's been one of our best defenders. I don't want another 30-point blowout where the opponent shoots 60% from the field and 70% from 3 (yes, I'm talking about the 2017 SoKor game).

The Asiad gold is a testament to Kouames effect on the team as much as anything. Yes even up to now Kouame is criminally under appreciated by the public.

[IPC]

The Asiad gold is a testament to Kouames effect on the team as much as anything. Yes even up to now Kouame is criminally under appreciated by the public.

The public is willing to overlook the fact that we have only AJ (who's currently injured) as a reliable defensive anchor for more firepower. Yes, I get that we need a go-to guy, but with the guys we have now, we especially need a great defensive anchor at the 4 and/or 5 spots.

Sorry, it really pisses me off right now.

[thatweirdguy]

Not just a center NP. A center NP who can defend. AJ and Ange are our only defenders at the 4/5 positions. Yes, we have Dwight, who can defend 2 to 4, but that's not enough.

We haven't had a local who can serve as a defensive presence at the 4/5 positions since Pingris. That is, until AJ came along, but he's also injury-prone.

That's why I really can't believe that we can easily toss Ange aside, when he's been one of our best defenders. I don't want another 30-point blowout where the opponent shoots 60% from the field and 70% from 3 (yes, I'm talking about the 2017 SoKor game).

We probably could have won more games in the WC if we got more production from our backup C. Seriously AJband JF could have used more help..However it was obvious that our team was going to live and die with JC.

Yeah we don't have enough plus defenders and shooters IMO

[IPC]

We probably could have won more games in the WC if we got more production from our backup C. Seriously AJband JF could have used more help..However it was obvious that our team was going to live and die with JC.

Yeah we don't have enough plus defenders and shooters IMO

We do have some plus defenders. Dwight, Newsome, Navarro, Thirdy, and Oftana. Heck, Scottie could defend well too. Abando showed good man-to-man defense in the WC. Heading has shown glimpses of good defense too in the Dubai tournament. Problem is, none of them are as impactful defensively as AJ and Ange, and none of them play their positions. Man, we really miss a guy like Ping.

As for shooting, well, we'll just have to live with Heading and Oftana. Arvin's an option, but we sacrifice defense. Wright chokes in FIBA. I dunno where Parks' head is right now. If he's ready, try to welcome him back.

[CoJ]

The Asiad gold is a testament to Kouames effect on the team as much as anything. Yes even up to now Kouame is criminally under appreciated by the public.

general public dont know the value of defense, they equate rebounds, steals as blocks as the only components of defense. jusko, that's why Norwood is only appreciated by the public for his dunk against Scola and not defense

[IPC]

general public dont know the value of defense, they equate rebounds, steals as blocks as the only components of defense. jusko, that's why Norwood is only appreciated by the public for his dunk against Scola and not defense

Gabe was one of our anchors from 2012 to 2016 (the other one was Ping), and our only defensive anchor from 2017 to 2019. That defense should not be overlooked.

As for not knowing the value of defense, when I see some lineups, some fans don't have balance, it's a bit too offensive while sacrificing defense.

[JAMSKIE]

As for not knowing the value of defense, when I see some lineups, some fans don't have balance, it's a bit too offensive while sacrificing defense.

Their lineups look more like an all-star team than a national team. It's loaded with scorers & hardly any role players.

I think coach Tab's 2015 Gilas team was more of a defensive team with defensive players like Norwood, Pingris, Abueva, Hontiveros & Matt Ganuelas Rosser.

[JAMSKIE]

Can't help but laugh at these Pinoy vloggers describing Kevin Quiambao as a shooting guard. Damn, hindi porke magaling sa outside shooting eh pwede mo na tawaging shooting guard!

Quiambao is a natural 4 who is versatile enough to play the 3, but he's no shooting guard or 2-guard.

[Metta]

Can't help but laugh at these Pinoy vloggers describing Kevin Quiambao as a shooting guard. Damn, hindi porke magaling sa outside shooting eh pwede mo na tawaging shooting guard!

Quiambao is a natural 4 who is versatile enough to play the 3, but he's no shooting guard or 2-guard.

Caidic wasn't much of a ballhandler and wasn't fast. And he's arguably the best Pilipinas SG.

I think KQ has great motor, he can be the type of SG that runs around screens/uses movement of the ball like Caidic, Klay or Rip Hamilton. He's not the MJ or Kobe type of SG in people's minds who has to have the ball in his hands all the time.

It's about time we use less dribble and use more passing in our game. KQ fits that.

On D, his goal should be the defensive ability of Dwight and/or Koon. They all have about the same build and athleticism. KQ gives good effort and that is a big part of D, he just has to learn angles and positioning. He has long arms and big hands that allow him to give a bit of space and not get beat.

[IPC]

Their lineups look more like an all-star team than a national team. It's loaded with scorers & hardly any role players.

I think coach Tab's 2015 Gilas team was more of a defensive team with defensive players like Norwood, Pingris, Abueva, Hontiveros & Matt Ganuelas Rosser.

That lineup was the best defensive team I had ever seen, come to think of it. And Gabe, Ping, Abueva, and Dondon were also part of the rotation. We had a defensive rating of 89.1. That was our 2nd consecutive silver.

We always performed best when our defense was good. When it wasn't, we underperformed (see 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, 2021 SEA Games, and 2022 FIBA Asia Cup).

[IPC]

Actually, Malonzo has gotten better with his handle, and shoots well too. Shot creator na from the perimeter. He can play solid man-to-man defense also. So he really is becoming a natural wing.
I'd still take Dwight, Navarro, and Oftana when healthy, but Malonzo's not a bad choice for wing now.

Yes Malonzo has the physical tools to be an SF. He needs more reps. Unfortunately with the lack of PFs in our previous Gilas pool he was forced to play PF most of the time.

He plays more SF with Ginebra than with the NT. Good that NorthPort and now Ginebra have used him more at that spot than at PF.

[Giannis34GOD]

Not just a center NP. A center NP who can defend. AJ and Ange are our only defenders at the 4/5 positions. Yes, we have Dwight, who can defend 2 to 4, but that's not enough.

We haven't had a local who can serve as a defensive presence at the 4/5 positions since Pingris. That is, until AJ came along, but he's also injury-prone.

That's why I really can't believe that we can easily toss Ange aside, when he's been one of our best defenders. I don't want another 30-point blowout where the opponent shoots 60% from the field and 70% from 3 (yes, I'm talking about the 2017 SoKor game).

The only problem is CTC will call the shots for Gilas, His prioritize is Brownlee... That's why we have to stick with Kai and AJ... But CTC is also a big man coach... For sure Kai and AJ will benefit for CTC long term

[IPC]

The only problem is CTC will call the shots for Gilas, His prioritize is Brownlee... That's why we have to stick with Kai and AJ... But CTC is also a big man coach... For sure Kai and AJ will benefit for CTC long term

Brownlee's fine, since he can play defense at the 4. Problem is, JB's suspended and AJ's currently injured. We need a guy who can anchor the defense from the 4 and/or 5 spots. I don't think Kai's there.

About JC, he was fine because AJ anchored our defense. Blatche had Gabe and Pingris next to him.

[Giannis34GOD]

Brownlee's fine, since he can play defense at the 4. Problem is, JB's suspended and AJ's currently injured. We need a guy who can anchor the defense from the 4 and/or 5 spots. I don't think Kai's there.

About JC, he was fine because AJ anchored our defense. Blatche had Gabe and Pingris next to him.

Maybe CTC can develop Kai into atleast Japeth type of defensive level.... let's see!!!!