Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[Giannis34GOD]

This is rough for him, just go pro already at this point, we are essentially wasting a Gilas prospect. SBP should step in no?

Is changing school from UAAP to NCAA or vice versa will also serving residency ? Or they will play right away?

[IPC]

I'm calling it now, a guy like Belmonte is a better Gilas prospect than Lebron Lopez. Lopez is just pure running and jumping ability. And him having the best combination of bigger, faster, stronger in the UAAP, he's getting by just running and jumping into traffic. He's not developing skills or bbiq. The moment he goes up against guys as big and athletic as him, he will be like how a lot of slam dunk champs in the nba are so limited.

Belmonte on the other hand is sublimely developing. He makes things look easy which is a sign of efficiency. He has great upside.

Belmonte's build is more like a wing, but he plays 4 in the UAAP. I think he'll need to improve his perimeter D, but his shot is good and his speed is decent. Lopez is a good perimeter defender, at least.

Looking at our players at 4 and 5 after JB and Japeth retire, we need good defenders at the 3 spot to make drives harder. Malonzo, Oftana, and Quiambao need a lot of work on that end, although Oftana is a decent team defender. JB and Dwight our only defensive players at 3. Schemes need personnel to work too. The 3 is a key spot defensively, for me.

[IPC]

Most Fil Foreigners / Pinoy from abroad seem to be still finding their groove in the UAAP.

Alex Konov - was wax hot in Davao before going down due to injury. Cooled off since and right now doesn't seem to have anything else to offer. Not a good ball handler, playmaker, defender or rebounder.

Jacob Bayla - was marketed as some D1 level talent but he's just solid offensively but defensively is where he's shown the most promise.

Lian Ramiro - capable ball handler, playmer and shooter. Needs to be more aggressive if he wants to be a pro.

QMB - beast. Future star in the PBA and hopefully a Gilas mainstay. Offensively won't carry a team but he's a capable option. Defensively, he'll be welcome boost for Gilas.

Bayla is a legit guard at 6'5. Most of our tall guards like him are converted (used to play as big men). He moves well, is athletic and skilled.


His defensive effort is the icing on the cake. Key for him is to continually "play up," right now he is young for UAAP so he is still getting pushed higher and is in a good situation. However, once he becomes good enough for overseas pro (or even go to D1) he should make the move.

He needs to be playing against SGs his size who are also athletic and skilled to really fast track his Gilas consideration. He's a perfect candidate for next man up for Dwight.

Bayla can defend, that's good news. Gilas needs more perimeter defenders at SF in the 6'5"-6'7" range. Bayla will be a boon at 2/3 if he keeps his defensive effort.

[IPC]

I'll go for a high motor athletic player like Flores or Lopez to replace Malonzo. Btw is Navarro out for contention as a possible replacement?

Can Flores play the 3 spot?
Do U think Francis Lopez' perimeter defense is good enough for him to play the 3 spot? At this point, I think in terms of 3-pt shooting, Malonzo is better than Lopez, although Lopez being around 6 years younger than Malonzo can mean Lopez' 3-pt shooting may improve to match or even overtake that of the Malonzo.

As to your question whether Navarro may be tapped by coach Tim ro replace the injured Malonzo in the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup window qualifiers in November, how I wish it will happen. But knowing coach Tim Cone, the chance is slim.

We're going to need a wing to fill in for oft-injured Malonzo. What better choice than Navarro and Lopez, two defensive-minded wings (a position that we need to fill)?

Our wings right now are injured Malonzo, 6'4" Dwight, 36yo Brownlee, Oftana, and maybe Quiambao. Oftana is a good team defender, but we'll need a better man defender for our starting and closing 3. That's where a wing like Navarro can come in. Navarro has been guarding the opponent's best wing player, and doing a solid job of staying in front and preventing.

We need to start preparing for life without JB. We will need a full-time SF, whether a star or a defensive player. And considering that Japeth's currently 37 and is a reserve, that thins our pool of defensive bigs to just Kai and injury-prone AJ. That explains the urgency of getting defensive players in key positions, which are 3, 4, and 5. We will need Carl, Kai, and Quiambao to make leaps on defense to mitigate the effect of losing JB and AJ on that end.

Yes, there's the scheme, but again, if you don't have personnel, it doesn't mean much.

[JAMSKIE]

Bayla can defend, that's good news. Gilas needs more perimeter defenders at SF in the 6'5"-6'7" range. Bayla will be a boon at 2/3 if he keeps his defensive effort.

Hope Bayla would become the good size natural shooting guard I've been dreaming to have in Gilas (Again, I'd like to make a distinction between the shooting guard & the small forward positions). If Bayla is a legit 6-foot-4, that's a good size 2-guard already by Asian standards & perhaps the tallest natural shooting guard aside from Dwight Ramos to ever play for Gilas (that is if Bayla would be good enough to merit a national team inclusion in the near future). Nice to hear that he is a decent wing defender even this early. He turns 19 in November so he has the youth in his side. Big room for improvement.

If only we have a cadet/developmental national team right now that can play in some international competitions like the Jones Cup, Dubai International Tournament, etc. Maganda sanang exposure yun for young players like Bayla, Alex Konov, Francis Lopez, Mark Belmonte, & other good players in the UAAP & NCAA who are potential national team players.

[JAMSKIE]

I don't think Mike will be unplayable in FIBA, especially at 5. As a bigman, his defense is valuable. His defensive instincts and motor will at least get him a rotation spot. 'Yun lang, he's only 6'7".

If we're talking role playing bigs internationally, defensive ability trumps offensive skill, in my opinion. I have the same opinion with role playing wings.

I don't think a 6-foot-7 athletic, tenacious & strong player like Mike Philipps would be too small a center in Asian level basketball. Ali Haidar of Lebanon is only around 6-foot-7/6-foot-8 yet he takes some time playing at the center spot & doesn't cause much mismatch. If up against 6-foot-8/6-foot-9 centers, which is the common height of most Asian centers, Haidar & Philipps won't be in a disadvantage situation. Comparatively, Mike Philipps is quicker & more athletic than Ali Haidar although skills wise, Haidar is significantly better.

I think Mike Philipps' athleticism, tenacity & quickness would make up for his size shortcoming at the center spot.

[JAMSKIE]

Belmonte's build is more like a wing, but he plays 4 in the UAAP. I think he'll need to improve his perimeter D, but his shot is good and his speed is decent. Lopez is a good perimeter defender, at least.

Looking at our players at 4 and 5 after JB and Japeth retire, we need good defenders at the 3 spot to make drives harder. Malonzo, Oftana, and Quiambao need a lot of work on that end, although Oftana is a decent team defender. JB and Dwight our only defensive players at 3. Schemes need personnel to work too. The 3 is a key spot defensively, for me.

I think its becoz Chico Briones & Jacob Bayla are the ones playing the 3 spot. Agree with you, Belmonte has the skills & the quickness/mobility of a natural small forward.

[IPC]

I think its becoz Chico Briones & Jacob Bayla are the ones playing the 3 spot. Agree with you, Belmonte has the skills & the quickness/mobility of a natural small forward.

UP's rotation at 3 is Bayla, Chicco, Harold Alarcon, and Reyland Torres, I think. Also, UP hardly uses a 2-big lineup, unless the big 4 has Carl Tamayo's skillset.

But yeah, Belmonte has the body of a 3, and also quickness. Hope that, as well as his length, can translate into a good Gilas-quality SF that can contribute on both ends.

[Metta]

Belmonte's build is more like a wing, but he plays 4 in the UAAP. I think he'll need to improve his perimeter D, but his shot is good and his speed is decent. Lopez is a good perimeter defender, at least.

Looking at our players at 4 and 5 after JB and Japeth retire, we need good defenders at the 3 spot to make drives harder. Malonzo, Oftana, and Quiambao need a lot of work on that end, although Oftana is a decent team defender. JB and Dwight our only defensive players at 3. Schemes need personnel to work too. The 3 is a key spot defensively, for me.

I look at them both as wings internationally. Lopez is more of an open court defender, effective when he has space to run and jump (chase down blocks). He still has to prove that he can play grind out defense when space gets shrunk and guys are bigger.

What I like about Belmonte is his rate of improvement. Just a few years ago he was absolutely raw, and now he is already very skilled (similar to Tamayo). The problem with Lopez is that he's been with big programs for a long time now and still has raw skills. Can be attributed to the curse of being bigger, faster, stronger early.

[IPC]

I look at them both as wings internationally. Lopez is more of an open court defender, effective when he has space to run and jump (chase down blocks). He still has to prove that he can play grind out defense when space gets shrunk and guys are bigger.

What I like about Belmonte is his rate of improvement. Just a few years ago he was absolutely raw, and now he is already very skilled (similar to Tamayo). The problem with Lopez is that he's been with big programs for a long time now and still has raw skills. Can be attributed to the curse of being bigger, faster, stronger early.

Yeah, what we need from our prospective Gilas wings is the ability to play grind-out defense. Prevent their man from blowing past them, staying in front, and helping out the team.

Actually, last year, I saw good shooting touch from Belmonte. He showed quickness too. Just need to be able to stay in front in the perimeter, and that's all that is needed for our FIBA wing.

[JAMSKIE]

I now can see the proliferation of 6-foot-5/6-foot-6 natural small forward that are national team materials or potential national team materials. This is something Philippine basketball hardly had about 7 to 8 years ago.

Right now we have Dwight, Oftana, Navarro, Malonzo (though Malonzo is more like a combo forward) Ken Tuffin, Javi GDL, as national team materials. In the pipeline are guys like Jonel Policarpio, Mark Belmonte, Chico Briones, Justin Sanchez, Francis Lopez (though Lopez is more like a combo forward to me), Caelum Harris.

[reamily]

Looks like Belmonte still having a growth spurt or sorts..hopefully leg work/strengtheneing will be one of his regimen moving forward

[Metta]

Yeah, what we need from our prospective Gilas wings is the ability to play grind-out defense. Prevent their man from blowing past them, staying in front, and helping out the team.

Actually, last year, I saw good shooting touch from Belmonte. He showed quickness too. Just need to be able to stay in front in the perimeter, and that's all that is needed for our FIBA wing.

Don't get me wrong, I think Lopez is still a good prospect, guys with his physical traits and motor don't grow on our trees.

It's just that I think if Belmonte continues his rate of improvement, he looks like a sleeper prospect.

I have a feeling he had a late growth spurt and got used to moving quicker as someone not too tall while young. Also probably the reason why he wasn't discovered much earlier.

[IPC]

I now can see the proliferation of 6-foot-5/6-foot-6 natural small forward that are national team materials or potential national team materials. This is something Philippine basketball hardly had about 7 to 8 years ago.

Right now we have Dwight, Oftana, Navarro, Malonzo (though Malonzo is more like a combo forward) Ken Tuffin, Javi GDL, as national team materials. In the pipeline are guys like Jonel Policarpio, Mark Belmonte, Chico Briones, Justin Sanchez, Francis Lopez (though Lopez is more like a combo forward to me), Caelum Harris.

We now need to be selective as to our next wing for the senior team, though. We need a good defensive wing measuring 196cm (6'5") and above, as in good in man and team defense, the role Gabe Norwood used to fill. Oftana and Malonzo are only good system defenders. Man, not as much. And with JB being 36 (close to retirement), and our only dedicated defensive bigs being AJ, Japeth, and later on Kai, and then we have Bennie Boatwright, a system defender at best, as the next NP, we need a wing who can be a defensive lynchpin, like Gabe. Like I said, scheme isn't enough if you don't have the personnel to execute it.

So far, I can see only Navarro, Lopez, Bayla, and Caelum filling that role. Tuffin's 194cm, e. Belmonte can improve, so can Policarpio.

[Metta]

We now need to be selective as to our next wing for the senior team, though. We need a good defensive wing measuring 196cm (6'5") and above, as in good in man and team defense, the role Gabe Norwood used to fill. Oftana and Malonzo are only good system defenders. Man, not as much. And with JB being 36 (close to retirement), and our only dedicated defensive bigs being AJ, Japeth, and later on Kai, and then we have Bennie Boatwright, a system defender at best, as the next NP, we need a wing who can be a defensive lynchpin, like Gabe. Like I said, scheme isn't enough if you don't have the personnel to execute it.

So far, I can see only Navarro, Lopez, Bayla, and Caelum filling that role. Tuffin's 194cm, e. Belmonte can improve, so can Policarpio.

I would add Lazaro to that list. He's always been good on defense and rebounding but now his offense especially his mid-range jumper has really improved.