Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[Rds]

that’s why chot learned his lessons and not show his cards from the get go

Is it really showing cards or just superior competition? I always hear you guys mentioning a Jones cup Tenorio played well in. But all I remember is Korea treating him like a child ie as if he wasn't there.

[r1ck]

As for currently eligible players, maybe guys like Kemark Carino can suffice, until Mike Phillips is a local.

My worry is if AJ is hurt. Another is, can Kai improve to the point where he can at least cover for his teammates on rotations? Kai has until JB's retirement to improve on defense, so that at least we don't give up points every other possession.

Mike Phillips in my opinion is a younger, taller and quicker version of Cliff Hodge with a higher ceiling. He will definitely be a big asset for the national team, I think he can be that Gilas energy guy just like Pingris and Abueva during their time.

[Metta]

Right now Mike P is all energy and athleticism. He is dominating because in the UAAP he is one of the biggest most athletic players. The problem is when opponents can match him physically.

He needs to play in a level where guys are as athletic as him so he develops more skillsets and bbiq.

In a perfect world, I'd like him to try his luck in the D1 transfer portal (assuming he's a lock for Gilas).

[IPC]

A big reason why we won the Asian Games was because we had 2 naturalized imports, while other Asian teams fielded only one import..

And we needed JB's ability to carry the offense and Ange's ability to anchor the defense to win that gold.

[JAMSKIE]

Right now Mike P is all energy and athleticism. He is dominating because in the UAAP he is one of the biggest most athletic players. The problem is when opponents can match him physically.

He needs to play in a level where guys are as athletic as him so he develops more skillsets and bbiq.

In a perfect world, I'd like him to try his luck in the D1 transfer portal (assuming he's a lock for Gilas).

Good point bro.
But as some basketball experts would say, once a player is a good rebounder & defender, he usually carries over those qualities in higher level competition. Of course he won't be as dominating & intimidating playing in the higher level as he does in the lower level but he most likely would be effective in rebounding & defense.

It is unlike when a player scores well in the low level competition & yet struggles big time in offense in higher level competition.

[Metta]

Good point bro.
But as some basketball experts would say, once a player is a good rebounder & defender, he usually carries over those qualities in higher level competition. Of course he won't be as dominating & intimidating playing in the higher level as he does in the lower level but he most likely would be effective in rebounding & defense.

It is unlike when a player scores well in the low level competition & yet struggles big time in offense in higher level competition.

That's what makes him a realistic D1 player, he will get playing time because of his defense and rebounding. And the more reps he gets against similar athletes or higher, the better he becomes.

[IPC]

Huge development… AJ Edu ruled out for OQT… huge loss for Gilas for OQT campaign


https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/06/12/aj-edu-ruled-out-as-gilas-sets-training-friendlies-ahead-of-oqt/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3fF9JT9B_WQJbkzHNFH46-CpuWM1Kqu6zBkyPtZZZxOXqwdUuYS_4sftQ_aem_AUaZgkin34 Y4JpgHEF5yArAqwtucy7wMebSmRcuVr6T9Lz0XAGiQxFg1dfl0 fwpGguJ1lkaHIbrkpiqMYJN4AeU2

AJ's role and injury history is why we should look for and develop defensive big men. He's our only reliable defender at the 4 and 5 as of the moment.

It's a big reason why sir Rds prefers a center NP, and I prefer a defensive big as well at that spot (well I'm open to JB being a small ball 4 until he retires), but better if he can play 4 alongside Kai. When we had a strong defense, we performed well (at least in the continental level). When we didn't, we flopped hard.

[Giannis34GOD]

AJ's role and injury history is why we should look for and develop defensive big men. He's our only reliable defender at the 4 and 5 as of the moment.

It's a big reason why sir Rds prefers a center NP, and I prefer a defensive big as well at that spot (well I'm open to JB being a small ball 4 until he retires), but better if he can play 4 alongside Kai. When we had a strong defense, we performed well (at least in the continental level). When we didn't, we flopped hard.

SBP should acquired RHJ before even JB is 1st choice... He is better fit alongside Kai since he can defend... I don't know why SBP didn't tap him?

[IPC]

I've been thinking just today. I have never trusted a "half the defense, double the offense" mindset because in the past, we tended to lose games and tournaments where our defense wasn't good (SoKor 2017 and Indonesia 2022 being my PTSD games). These games were prime examples:

Gilas vs. SoKor 2017 (QF, FIBA Asia Cup): 118-86; 44-66 OppFG, 16-21 Opp3PT, 22 OppFTA
Gilas vs. Lebanon 2017 (5-8 Classification, FIBA Asia Cup): 106-87; 34-67 OppFG, 8-19 Opp3PT, 37 OppFTA
Gilas vs. Kazakhstan 2018 (FIBA WC Qualifiers): 92-88; 28-49 OppFG, 12-23 Opp3PT, 34 OppFTA
Gilas vs. Indonesia 2022 (Gold medal game, SEA Games): 85-81; 26-55 OppFG, 13-31 Opp3PT, 25 OppFTA

We had a defensive rating of 113.4 in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, and 114.1 in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup. We finished 7th in 2017, and 9th in 2022, despite having offensive ratings of 110 in both tournaments. Our offense could not compensate for piss-poor defense. In contrast, we had a DRTG of 98.3 in 2013, and 89.1 in 2015, where we finished silver both times.

Now, given these games and tourneys, and given our current roster makeup, we lack defensive bigs apart from AJ and defensive wings apart from Dwight and Brownlee. So, if AJ goes down, and once JB retires, our defense will take a hit. How can we compensate offensively and/or mitigate the lack of defensive pieces so we can at least be an average defensive team, especially in FIBA and Asiad tournament settings?

[IPC]

SBP should acquired RHJ before even JB is 1st choice... He is better fit alongside Kai since he can defend... I don't know why SBP didn't tap him?

JB can defend also. But, he can't cover for June Mar's poor defense. JB needed to play center to anchor the defense, or play alongside Ange.

[Giannis34GOD]

JB can defend also. But, he can't cover for June Mar's poor defense. JB needed to play center to anchor the defense, or play alongside Ange.

What i mean as next Naturalized player once JB retires... RHJ just 28 years old only...

[Metta]

AJ's role and injury history is why we should look for and develop defensive big men. He's our only reliable defender at the 4 and 5 as of the moment.

It's a big reason why sir Rds prefers a center NP, and I prefer a defensive big as well at that spot (well I'm open to JB being a small ball 4 until he retires), but better if he can play 4 alongside Kai. When we had a strong defense, we performed well (at least in the continental level). When we didn't, we flopped hard.

I'm not sure if we're capable of "locally" developing elite international-level defensive big men. In order to develop them, they need to be going up against other elite big men as early as possible.

They are so rare in our country that they barely get the reps for a proper challenge. Add to that the athletic limitations.

Absent eligible filfors like AJ regularly popping up, we really have to have NPs that are defensively dominant.

Kai could have eventually been our Haddadi/Yao (enough for asian domination) but basketball has changed since then. Centers can't be slow anymore.

[IPC]

I'm not sure if we're capable of "locally" developing elite international-level defensive big men. In order to develop them, they need to be going up against other elite big men as early as possible.

They are so rare in our country that they barely get the reps for a proper challenge. Add to that the athletic limitations.

Absent eligible filfors like AJ regularly popping up, we really have to have NPs that are defensively dominant.

Kai could have eventually been our Haddadi/Yao (enough for asian domination) but basketball has changed since then. Centers can't be slow anymore.

As for NP big, I said in the post you're replying to that it's better if our NP can play 4 next to Kai, but can play 5 in the absence of AJ. As long as he can defend, it's fine. Right now, among the eligible locals, we have two reliable point-of-attack defenders (Scottie and Newsome), one reliable wing defender (Dwight), and one reliable big defender (AJ). If Kai develops into a good defensive big in the international level, maybe we can afford an NP that doesn't need to defend that well.

As for the "can't be slow anymore," yeah. They have to be able to keep up in PnR, which is a staple in international play, even if all the center can do is drop. Rim protection is still important, but now, they can be involved in PnR actions unless there's a zone (which can be broken by shooting and ball movement).

[Metta]

As for NP big, I said in the post you're replying to that it's better if our NP can play 4 next to Kai, but can play 5 in the absence of AJ. As long as he can defend, it's fine. Right now, among the eligible locals, we have two reliable point-of-attack defenders (Scottie and Newsome), one reliable wing defender (Dwight), and one reliable big defender (AJ). If Kai develops into a good defensive big in the international level, maybe we can afford an NP that doesn't need to defend that well.

As for the "can't be slow anymore," yeah. They have to be able to keep up in PnR, which is a staple in international play, even if all the center can do is drop. Rim protection is still important, but now, they can be involved in PnR actions unless there's a zone (which can be broken by shooting and ball movement).

I agree, we need an NP that is an elite 4/5 defender. Like I said, it's the type of player that is hardest for us to naturally develop.

[IPC]

I agree, we need an NP that is an elite 4/5 defender. Like I said, it's the type of player that is hardest for us to naturally develop.

Good thing JB can defend as a 3 and as a 4 right now, which is why he's OK as the NP for now.

But until Kai develops into a reliable defender in the FIBA level against China, SoKor, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Japan-level teams, we'll need a good 4/5 defender to succeed JB. 4, so Kai can still play alongside him, and 5, so that we have an extra man at that spot in case AJ is out and Kai is on the bench.