Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[IPC]

Ive seen Kouame’s latest highlights and his offenses looks better. 20 pts 6 rbs and a few blocks in 20 mins said the vlogger.

I dont know why SBP is not seriously considering him when all our centers are risky. Well maybe TC wants to see Kai for himself. JMF is still in good condition but it is unlikely he can improve his defense to WC levels at his age despite the lesser weight. AJ will always have to be load managed in his career.

I guess we’ll see this year. JB is not exactly in playing condition and is not young. I guess it depends on how we play against NZ. If we play well against a team B or up NZ then it will validate their lineup, particularly their choice of not using an NP center.

I have the same question myself. AJ is our lone defensive anchor in the 4/5 positions. At the very least, look for a candidate that can serve as a backup defensive anchor. We were fine with JC because AJ was there. We were fine with Blatche because Gabe and Ping were there (Blatche himself got a few blocks and steals, but I don't remember if he was that impactful on defense). Defensive anchors don't really grow on trees in our case.

And to top it off, SBP and some media members are looking at naturalization candidates in Ange's age bracket (Boatwright, Tyler Bey, Johnathan Williams) without even a mention of him. At least Cone looked at Ange as a backup at the very least.

[Silent Killer]

Ive seen Kouame’s latest highlights and his offenses looks better. 20 pts 6 rbs and a few blocks in 20 mins said the vlogger.

I dont know why SBP is not seriously considering him when all our centers are risky. Well maybe TC wants to see Kai for himself. JMF is still in good condition but it is unlikely he can improve his defense to WC levels at his age despite the lesser weight. AJ will always have to be load managed in his career.

I guess we’ll see this year. JB is not exactly in playing condition and is not young. I guess it depends on how we play against NZ. If we play well against a team B or up NZ then it will validate their lineup, particularly their choice of not using an NP center.

i feel like Ange is being mis treated by SBP itself. Felt bad on Ange..

[ARMIR]

Ive seen Kouame’s latest highlights and his offenses looks better. 20 pts 6 rbs and a few blocks in 20 mins said the vlogger.

I dont know why SBP is not seriously considering him when all our centers are risky. Well maybe TC wants to see Kai for himself. JMF is still in good condition but it is unlikely he can improve his defense to WC levels at his age despite the lesser weight. AJ will always have to be load managed in his career.

I guess we’ll see this year. JB is not exactly in playing condition and is not young. I guess it depends on how we play against NZ. If we play well against a team B or up NZ then it will validate their lineup, particularly their choice of not using an NP center.

For a coach being touted as a big man coach,he sure is not decisive when it comes to the center position.

[digitalsuperman]

i feel like Ange is being mis treated by SBP itself. Felt bad on Ange..

part of the deal with SBP is that CTC will have full control of the lineup he wanted and SBP will not interfere with that.CTC deserved the trust since he delivered the asiad gold.people will call it fools gold or fluke but a win is a win and players and coaching staff worked hard for it. as for ange, he was not selected although he is somewhat part of gilas as the second option for naturalized position for now. but ctc's system really does require someone like JB and not someone like kouame.

[paulrenzo]

Im guessing the SBP wants their NPs like how the PBA likes their imports: finished products. They dont want to risk someone who is not NBA caliber, yet continuing to improve and has yet to reach his peak

[digitalsuperman]

Im guessing the SBP wants their NPs like how the PBA likes their imports: finished products. They dont want to risk someone who is not NBA caliber, yet continuing to improve and has yet to reach his peak

not SBP's call. its the coaching staff's which is correct in my opinion. coaching staff should dictate on what they want on their players. as of now we have serviceable bigs like kai, junmar and AJ. so we need a scorer or catalyst on the offense.

[Giannis34GOD]

He's a little long on the tooth there and besides the reason they want him he's willing to bum around and do nothing,at the beck and call of them,unlike the others,they have to deal with their present team and schedule.

After qualifiers, Brownlee has no team to play with, since PBA will start All Filipino conference next month, JB can’t play there, Although SMC already shoulder his expenses even w/o playing, He badly needs to play because almost 4 months of no playing might hurt his physical condition.. I think KBL, B league or Indonesia league still available to pick foreign players, JB is good marketing tool to their league because for sure Ginebra fans will follow him there before coming back for upcoming OQT in July… and he is good import in those leagues, A proven winner…

[Giannis34GOD]

Is Kouame's exemption from the team is due to his schedule or he doesn't fit in Cone's plans?It it's either or they need another NP that plays 4/5 that can play the perimeter so that if AJ is not healthy he can easily slide on those positions.

Nope… CTC would love him if he is local player, but he is not… he can’t sacrifice JB for Kouame as naturalized… we all know that… PBA is to blame here because they didn’t helped Kouame’s possible exemption case in near future… neither MPBL or PSL helped his cause too… so that means Kouame has no chance to play for Gilas… only chance for him is SEAG and Asian games that is relax regarding to the eligibility rules for nationality…

[Giannis34GOD]

Im guessing the SBP wants their NPs like how the PBA likes their imports: finished products. They dont want to risk someone who is not NBA caliber, yet continuing to improve and has yet to reach his peak

Any national teams in the world will tap do it all imports to strengthen their national team… unless they have already local guys who can play like a naturalized player such as Luka, Rui/Yuta, Schroder, or even Arakji.. those teams don’t need scorer type of NP since those players can do the scoring load.. if we have atleast Arakji type of local player then we don’t need JB and just tap Ange for defensive purposes… that’s reality…

[Rds]

not SBP's call. its the coaching staff's which is correct in my opinion. coaching staff should dictate on what they want on their players. as of now we have serviceable bigs like kai, junmar and AJ. so we need a scorer or catalyst on the offense.

We have 3 centers. 2 with sub par defense on the WC level. And one who needs to be load managed.

Tab and TC are similar in that they prefer taller forwards and guards. They are also defensive coaches. The difference is TC has limited experience in international play. He won Asian gold. But what I saw was Kouame anchoring the defense to win games to make up for deficits built when June mar was on the floor.

I can’t wait to see the actual games to see how we perform without a good defensive center.

It is also strange that they are starting the naturalization process for Boatwright. From what I saw, is he is not versatile as Brownlee. Defensively, JF had more impact in the Ginebra series from what I saw.

TC and Al Chua seem to treat Kouame as a last resort for now. We’ll see in the games this year if TC can make it work without a Kouame or an AJ. If he can then we won’t need Kouame. Othewrise, they should reconsider.

[ARMIR]

Nope… CTC would love him if he is local player, but he is not… he can’t sacrifice JB for Kouame as naturalized… we all know that… PBA is to blame here because they didn’t helped Kouame’s possible exemption case in near future… neither MPBL or PSL helped his cause too… so that means Kouame has no chance to play for Gilas… only chance for him is SEAG and Asian games that is relax regarding to the eligibility rules for nationality…

JB is already playing in the crowded position of 2/3,locally there's alot of talent there,Gilas lack of big men at 4/5 will be their undoing,if someone like Tamayo,Oftana,KQ,are all in the team,why even show up,when there's a chance you might not even play,all three for example play in a high level in their position.I think CTC can play with only 10 guys will be ok or even 9 since as they say its an easy window.Well I think its time for Kouame to have a sti down with SBP and see if can rescind his naturalization,it looks like Indonesia is looking for a permanent big man soon.

[IPC]

not SBP's call. its the coaching staff's which is correct in my opinion. coaching staff should dictate on what they want on their players. as of now we have serviceable bigs like kai, junmar and AJ. so we need a scorer or catalyst on the offense.

We have 3 centers. 2 with sub par defense on the WC level. And one who needs to be load managed.
Tab and TC are similar in that they prefer taller forwards and guards. They are also defensive coaches. The difference is TC has limited experience in international play. He won Asian gold. But what I saw was Kouame anchoring the defense to win games to make up for deficits built when June mar was on the floor.

I can’t wait to see the actual games to see how we perform without a good defensive center.

It is also strange that they are starting the naturalization process for Boatwright. From what I saw, is he is not versatile as Brownlee. Defensively, JF had more impact in the Ginebra series from what I saw.

TC and Al Chua seem to treat Kouame as a last resort for now. We’ll see in the games this year if TC can make it work without a Kouame or an AJ. If he can then we won’t need Kouame. Othewrise, they should reconsider.

From what I saw, Boatwright is being attacked on defense. It started from the Ginebra series. Alongside Kai and June Mar, that will be a defensive disaster. You need a guy like AJ alongside Boatwright, e kaso, sabi mo nga, AJ's not the healthiest. At least Brownlee can defend.

Based on our locals' composition (especially the bigs), we need someone who can anchor the inside on defense, especially when we don't have AJ. Defensive specialist, two-way player, don't really care as long as that player can anchor the paint on defense. Otherwise, we might be giving up layup lines possibly leading to wide-open threes every other possession.

[Giannis34GOD]

JB is already playing in the crowded position of 2/3,locally there's alot of talent there,Gilas lack of big men at 4/5 will be their undoing,if someone like Tamayo,Oftana,KQ,are all in the team,why even show up,when there's a chance you might not even play,all three for example play in a high level in their position.I think CTC can play with only 10 guys will be ok or even 9 since as they say its an easy window.Well I think its time for Kouame to have a sti down with SBP and see if can rescind his naturalization,it looks like Indonesia is looking for a permanent big man soon.

JB proved that he can play small ball 5 too (checked the 6th window Jordan and Lebanon game).. JB is an all around player that whatever coach wants to him, he will do.. although we can’t do that in world level.. but that is another matter.. CTC will gamble on Kai, JMF and AJ rather than he will lose his no.1 player… As good as Ange is, we badly need bucket getter, especially in crunch time… we lacked on that since Gilas program starts back in 2009… If PBA supports those naturalized players, Ange might have a chance for exemption.. but it’s too late already…

[Giannis34GOD]

From what I saw, Boatwright is being attacked on defense. It started from the Ginebra series. Alongside Kai and June Mar, that will be a defensive disaster. You need a guy like AJ alongside Boatwright, e kaso, sabi mo nga, AJ's not the healthiest. At least Brownlee can defend.

Based on our locals' composition (especially the bigs), we need someone who can anchor the inside on defense, especially when we don't have AJ. Defensive specialist, two-way player, don't really care as long as that player can anchor the paint on defense. Otherwise, we might be giving up layup lines possibly leading to wide-open threes every other possession.

Actually, in defensive stand point, Tyler Bey is a good option.. he can score but he’s a more 2 way player than Boatwright…

[ARMIR]

JB proved that he can play small ball 5 too (checked the 6th window Jordan and Lebanon game).. JB is an all around player that whatever coach wants to him, he will do.. although we can’t do that in world level.. but that is another matter.. CTC will gamble on Kai, JMF and AJ rather than he will lose his no.1 player… As good as Ange is, we badly need bucket getter, especially in crunch time… we lacked on that since Gilas program starts back in 2009… If PBA supports those naturalized players, Ange might have a chance for exemption.. but it’s too late already…

The way Kai Sotto is playing right now in Bleague,JMF might sustain an injury if Kai can't pull his own weight on court.JMF might have to play longer than he should be playing.Ange is getting better offensively at his current level I think he's much better than Kai,very close to preinjury AJ,he's becoming better at playing the 4/5 position.