Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[IPC]

After watching this PBA Finals, I still think that right now, Ange would be a better option as Brownlee's successor as 1st option NP than either Boatwright or Bey, although the latter two are still good NP options. Boatwright can shoot, but he's a defensive liability. Bey hasn't really carried this Mags offense that well, and while he's a good defender, I don't think he can anchor a defense.

Ange provides us with a defensive anchor when AJ sits, or in case AJ can't play due to injury. That's our biggest need. Without one, it's a defensive nightmare. Dwight's our 2nd-best defender, but he can't cover the entire defense by himself.

[Giannis34GOD]

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.

In Asian level… Kai still serviceable and can contribute on both ends… One thing here, there only one coach who can give Kai confidence is only Tim Cone… the problem all of you guys is you all know the FIBA eligibility rules, Only 1 naturalized player is allowed, and with CTC as coach until 2027 (or 2028 if we qualified to LA Olympics), JB is his primary option on that spot.. it is all written from the start when he accepts the coaching role for Gilas… We have to move on with Ange for now and trust our local bigs.. If we didn’t trust them, it will affect their development in the long run… building a great team is not a short cut, We have to trust the process… we have to trust Kai’s development, Junmar’s leadership and AJ’s health…even Ange accepted it already… we guys spoiled what Tab brings to us, but let’s accept that Tab will not come back to Gilas already.. We are now entering CTC era.. and we have to trust the process…

[Giannis34GOD]

After watching this PBA Finals, I still think that right now, Ange would be a better option as Brownlee's successor as 1st option NP than either Boatwright or Bey, although the latter two are better options. Boatwright can shoot, but he's a defensive liability. Bey hasn't really carried this Mags offense that well, and while he's a good defender, I don't think he can anchor a defense.

Ange provides us with a defensive anchor when AJ sits, or in case AJ can't play due to injury. That's our biggest need. Without one, it's a defensive nightmare. Dwight's our 2nd-best defender, but he can't cover the entire defense by himself.

But with CTC system, he needs a guy who can bailed our team in crucial situations, from Johnny A, Willie Miller, James Yap and now Justin Brownlee.. His system will not be successful if he hasn’t have that player… CTC is different than Tab, they have different system and playstyle.. if you look at his current roster, only Ramos can score in dire situation, but he is good as just secondary player only, and not a main guy… Look at his current Ginebra roster, His no.1 big man is Cstand, but he is not a rim protector or a good PnR defender, but CTC doesn’t care about that, he fills his line up with solid good wing guys who are 2 way players… Oftana, Malonzo, Quiambao, Ramos and even Tamayo… then he also picks Scottie, Newsome and Perez, who are 2 way players too… the is a reason why he pick those guys… CTC is not type of coach he is only relying for one guy for defensive purposes… he wants all of his players can play both ends on the floor.. even in Ginebra, look at his wings, Malonzo, Brownlee, Gray are good two way players…

[IPC]

In Asian level… Kai still serviceable and can contribute on both ends… One thing here, there only one coach who can give Kai confidence is only Tim Cone… the problem all of you guys is you all know the FIBA eligibility rules, Only 1 naturalized player is allowed, and with CTC as coach until 2027 (or 2028 if we qualified to LA Olympics), JB is his primary option on that spot.. it is all written from the start when he accepts the coaching role for Gilas… We have to move on with Ange for now and trust our local bigs.. If we didn’t trust them, it will affect their development in the long run… building a great team is not a short cut, We have to trust the process… we have to trust Kai’s development, Junmar’s leadership and AJ’s health…even Ange accepted it already… we guys spoiled what Tab brings to us, but let’s accept that Tab will not come back to Gilas already.. We are now entering CTC era.. and we have to trust the process…

Kai has to show that he can legitimately anchor a defense first. We'll know that in the OQT, the November and February windows, and the Asia Cup. Again, this team seriously lacks a defensive anchor after AJ. JB fits us because he can carry us and he's a good defender (I think he's a combination of Michael Jordan and Draymond Green, at least in the Philippine context).

The only better fit than Ange right now (other than JB) is (1) if he can anchor a defense at the 4 and/or 5 spots, and (2) if he's a better scorer. The word "and" means both conditions have to be met.

[Giannis34GOD]

Kai has to show that he can legitimately anchor a defense first. We'll know that in the OQT, the November and February windows, and the Asia Cup. Again, this team seriously lacks a defensive anchor after AJ. JB fits us because he can carry us and he's a good defender (I think he's a combination of Michael Jordan and Draymond Green, at least in the Philippine context).

The only better fit than Ange right now (other than JB) is (1) if he can anchor a defense at the 4 and/or 5 spots, and (2) if he's a better scorer. The word "and" means both conditions have to be met.

Under CTC, I think Kai will be CTC’s Sonny thoss or late bloomer Japeth… Well, he has opportunity this coming window, As AJ will not play and Junmar might be under load manage after this championship run.. Kai will have that opportunity to prove, especially we will play against teams that we expected to win..

[live_evil]

the stupidity of Al Panlilio is showing. Getting local classification for Ange should have been a priority. STUPID PANLILIO.

[IPC]

the stupidity of Al Panlilio is showing. Getting local classification for Ange should have been a priority. STUPID PANLILIO.

Well, his term ends in August. Hopfeully we get a leader with more foresight.

[IPC]

But with CTC system, he needs a guy who can bailed our team in crucial situations, from Johnny A, Willie Miller, James Yap and now Justin Brownlee.. His system will not be successful if he hasn’t have that player… CTC is different than Tab, they have different system and playstyle.. if you look at his current roster, only Ramos can score in dire situation, but he is good as just secondary player only, and not a main guy… Look at his current Ginebra roster, His no.1 big man is Cstand, but he is not a rim protector or a good PnR defender, but CTC doesn’t care about that, he fills his line up with solid good wing guys who are 2 way players… Oftana, Malonzo, Quiambao, Ramos and even Tamayo… then he also picks Scottie, Newsome and Perez, who are 2 way players too… the is a reason why he pick those guys… CTC is not type of coach he is only relying for one guy for defensive purposes… he wants all of his players can play both ends on the floor.. even in Ginebra, look at his wings, Malonzo, Brownlee, Gray are good two way players…

You don't exactly need to defend pick-and-roll threats in the PBA as much. Plus, Ginebra has Japeth and of course Brownlee. I think the better case would have been the Asian Games. Ange was our closing center in the knockouts because June Mar was a defensive liability. Like sir Rds said, defense won us that Asiad.

I mean, even in the February 2023 window, where JB and June Mar started together, JB couldn't really cover for June Mar there, and was better off being the center in a small-ball lineup. Cone was already our defensive coordinator. We won against Lebanon that window because we out-shot them, and we lost to Jordan because of a big deficit thanks to poor defense early (we were down by 19 after the 1st quarter; Brownlee had to play almost the entire 2nd half at center). Well, this game kinds of illustrated why Brownlee fits so well. He can anchor our defense as well as carry the scoring load.

As for Tab, he had Dwight, Navarro, and Baltazar on his team in addition to Ange, playing roles similar to Oftana and Newsome. Perez is prone to blow-bys and likes to play the passing lanes. This is where a safety net behind is key. Still need good defenders at the 4 and/or 5 positions to cover.

[IPC]

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.

I think there's a workaround without an Ange or an AJ. That's to put JB at 5, like we did against Jordan in the February 2023 window. He can serve as a backup defensive anchor. Like I said, he's like Michael Jordan's offensive repertoire mixed with with Draymond Green's defensive influence in the Philippine context.

However, that is effective only for as long as JB is with us. And, the guy is aging. He'll be 36 in May.

[ARMIR]

the stupidity of Al Panlilio is showing. Getting local classification for Ange should have been a priority. STUPID PANLILIO.

The whole SBP under him is just whacked out of their minds most of the time.There should be a petition online to have AK be classified as a local,then submit to SBP but not on Panilio's desk,it should go to Erika Dy and let's see how she will respond to it.

[C2Hamm]

The whole SBP under him is just whacked out of their minds most of the time.There should be a petition online to have AK be classified as a local,then submit to SBP but not on Panilio's desk,it should go to Erika Dy and let's see how she will respond to it.

Isnt Al the president of SBP? even if you give it to Atty Dy, the prez has the final say.

[ARMIR]

Isnt Al the president of SBP? even if you give it to Atty Dy, the prez has the final say.

But maybe just maybe he will some pressure if someone high in that organization have ideas that makes sense,unless he's really a tyrant and his way or the highway.

[sroth3839]

Isnt Al the president of SBP? even if you give it to Atty Dy, the prez has the final say.

Panlilio is the type of guy who doesn't care as long as it doesn't put him in negative light in the media.

Reason Dy was hired, I would assume, is to delegate majority of the job and for him to simply act as figure head.

[CoJ]

The upcoming window's expected result is fool's gold. Me thinks TC and SBP are in for a rude awakening come OQT

[sroth3839]

The upcoming window's expected result is fool's gold. Me thinks TC and SBP are in for a rude awakening come OQT

To be fair, no Asian team will have an easy time in that OQT group.

The SBP knows this and may just opt for avoiding a rout.

The upcoming ACQ window is winnable as long as they don't fuck it up.