Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[reamily]

Agree. Will pick Will Navarro over Malonzo

too bad Jamie is becoming Chris Ellis (bgk version) in Gilas..

[ARMIR]

It seems the consensus is Navarro,and Lopez are the two leading candidates to replace Malonzo,I for one do like either one over Malonzo,I hope one gets retained as a sub or practice player in Gilas.

[JAMSKIE]

It seems the consensus is Navarro,and Lopez are the two leading candidates to replace Malonzo,I for one do like either one over Malonzo,I hope one gets retained as a sub or practice player in Gilas.

I'm not high on Francis Lopez, especially with the way he played in last year's UAAP season with UP. Outside shooting was still suspect, so was his handles. The only bright spot is that at least he's young at 20 or 21 yrs old. But he has to work hard in improving his shooting & handles.

[IPC]

I'm not high on Francis Lopez, especially with the way he played in last year's UAAP season with UP. Outside shooting was still suspect, so was his handles. The only bright spot is that at least he's young at 20 or 21 yrs old. But he has to work hard in improving his shooting & handles.

Some observed in the UAAP Season 86 thread that he got blown by on defense as well. That's another area to work on, especially with his athleticism.

He turns 21 in May, so he has time to work on his shooting, handle, and perimeter defense.

[IPC]

Kume Eala advocating for Arana as a Gilas candidate: https://x.com/NoliEala/status/1764592669932797993?s=20

Arana is too small to play center at 6'7" in shoes, and he has neither the jumping ability nor the wingspan (Arana's is only 6'9") to compensate. Thus, he has to play PF in Gilas, like sir JAMSKIE said.

He needs to improve on these key aspects to play PF in FIBA:

1. Quickness on defense. He has to show that he can stay in front of quick guards, defend the PnR, and closeout on shooters. He's quick on offense, just a matter of utilizing that on defense.

2. Outside shooting. Having a viable three-point shot or even a jumper from 6 meters (roughly 20 feet) is important for a lot of fours, for spacing. Again, he has to play PF, not center, in Gilas.

[reamily]

Kume Eala advocating for Arana as a Gilas candidate: https://x.com/NoliEala/status/1764592669932797993?s=20

Arana is too small to play center at 6'7" in shoes, and he has neither the jumping ability nor the wingspan (Arana's is only 6'9") to compensate. Thus, he has to play PF in Gilas, like sir JAMSKIE said.

He needs to improve on these key aspects to play PF in FIBA:

1. Quickness on defense. He has to show that he can stay in front of quick guards, defend the PnR, and closeout on shooters. He's quick on offense, just a matter of utilizing that on defense.

2. Outside shooting. Having a viable three-point shot or even a jumper from 6 meters (roughly 20 feet) is important for a lot of fours, for spacing. Again, he has to play PF, not center, in Gilas.

lol why eala's current fav players coincidentally in line with SMC plans, we knew Bennie Boatwright as perfect 4 for SMB and arana is being tagged as the next smc big man..

[r1ck]

I dont think Justin Arana has the foot speed and laterals to be a good Gilas player for the World Cup but he can be servicable in the FIBA Asia level I believe. The thing I like about him is his good positioning and foot work on the post, I think Danny I has really helped him polish his post moves and we can see he has put in the work to improve his conditioning and strength.

[Rds]

lol why eala's current fav players coincidentally in line with SMC plans, we knew Bennie Boatwright as perfect 4 for SMB and arana is being tagged as the next smc big man..

Arana's not that good. I mean he's good enough to be a decent big in the PBA. But he's no Junemar or Japeth. He's not even as good as Balti is for the Fiba game. But that's another story. I guess we're running out of eligible PBA bigs. But if Arana we're taken over Balti it could only be politics not because he is better.

[IPC]

lol why eala's current fav players coincidentally in line with SMC plans, we knew Bennie Boatwright as perfect 4 for SMB and arana is being tagged as the next smc big man..

I dont think Justin Arana has the foot speed and laterals to be a good Gilas player for the World Cup but he can be servicable in the FIBA Asia level I believe. The thing I like about him is his good positioning and foot work on the post, I think Danny I has really helped him polish his post moves and we can see he has put in the work to improve his conditioning and strength.

Arana's not that good. I mean he's good enough to be a decent big in the PBA. But he's no Junemar or Japeth. He's not even as good as Balti is for the Fiba game. But that's another story. I guess we're running out of eligible PBA bigs. But if Arana we're taken over Balti it could only be politics not because he is better.

Honestly, if we're talking PBA bigs for Gilas, Kemark Carino's a better choice. Sure, could get pushed around in the post, but has good length to contest, can play both big positions, and has the foot speed to defend the perimeter, if what r1ck said is to be believed.

[reamily]

They see arana as 6'6 vic manuel or a reincarnation of Dennis Espino..this isn't really long term but wide term (we need the Asia tournaments and even the Sea games tournaments where arana can be handy)

[thatweirdguy]

I'm not high on Francis Lopez, especially with the way he played in last year's UAAP season with UP. Outside shooting was still suspect, so was his handles. The only bright spot is that at least he's young at 20 or 21 yrs old. But he has to work hard in improving his shooting & handles.

Not a big fan of players who's only mostly just rely on their athleticism. I'm not even sure he has the agility and speed to match his jumping ability. I dunno maybe Kobe just left a bad taste in my mouth that I can't wash off. And the way he acted on his off court incident last year turned me off

[JAMSKIE]

Not a big fan of players who's only mostly just rely on their athleticism. I'm not even sure he has the agility and speed to match his jumping ability. I dunno maybe Kobe just left a bad taste in my mouth that I can't wash off. And the way he acted on his off court incident last year turned me off

Same here bro. Kobe failing also left bitter taste in my mouth. The thing is, I think Kobe at 20 yrs old had a better shooting & handles than a 20-year old Francis Lopez (just my opinion).

Now as IPC has pointed out that some UAAP observers took notice of Lopez' suspect laterals to defend in the perimeter, if Lopez' laterals are not in the level of a Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, or a Will Navarro, then I think he is not really a good Gilas prospect any sooner.

Lopez has a lot to work on his game. Good thing he's still young (well by Philippine basketball standards, 21 yrs. old is very young).

[JAMSKIE]

Kume Eala advocating for Arana as a Gilas candidate: https://x.com/NoliEala/status/1764592669932797993?s=20

Arana is too small to play center at 6'7" in shoes, and he has neither the jumping ability nor the wingspan (Arana's is only 6'9") to compensate. Thus, he has to play PF in Gilas, like sir JAMSKIE said.

He needs to improve on these key aspects to play PF in FIBA:

1. Quickness on defense. He has to show that he can stay in front of quick guards, defend the PnR, and closeout on shooters. He's quick on offense, just a matter of utilizing that on defense.

2. Outside shooting. Having a viable three-point shot or even a jumper from 6 meters (roughly 20 feet) is important for a lot of fours, for spacing. Again, he has to play PF, not center, in Gilas.

Let's just say that by modern-day basketball standards, Arana is a natural center. But an undersized center by FIBA standards.

I think some 15 to 20 years ago, Arana would be a good power forward prospect for a Philippine national team.

[r1ck]

Same here bro. Kobe failing also left bitter taste in my mouth. The thing is, I think Kobe at 20 yrs old had a better shooting & handles than a 20-year old Francis Lopez (just my opinion).

Now as IPC has pointed out that some UAAP observers took notice of Lopez' suspect laterals to defend in the perimeter, if Lopez' laterals are not in the level of a Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, or a Will Navarro, then I think he is not really a good Gilas prospect any sooner.

Lopez has a lot to work on his game. Good thing he's still young (well by Philippine basketball standards, 21 yrs. old is very young).

I think Kobe Paras despite having all the physical gifts (height, athleticims, build) lacks one important thing and that is the proper mindset to commit to basketball. I remember reading somewhere that during his B league stints his coaches were turned off at Kobe's lack of effort on defense and sense of entitlement to be the primary option on offense. Even during his UP days there were whispers that he had attitude problems and at times clashed with Bright. It seems pretty clear basketball is not his main priority in life but I guess he will be back to playing when his money runs out

[live_evil]

Replace Kobe's face with Barroca and you get an all-Asia level-player. Hard to keep focusing on basketball with all these models and movie stars willingly spreading their legs for you.