Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[JAMSKIE]

With our golden performance in last year's Asian Games, our mighty upset of world No. 6 Latvia in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament & our unblemished record in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers after 2 windows including our historic win over New Zealand, I hope coach Tim Cone & his coaching staff anticipate the adjustments that our Asia-Oceania counterparts would do especially New Zealand & the much improved Chinese Taipei team which would be our opponents in the 3rd window next February. You bet New Zealand would be too eager for a vengeance while Chinese Taipei would also want to score a win over Gilas after several years of being beaten by Gilas. We must anticipate that our opponents would do thorough scouting & study of coach Tim's triangle offense. Coach Tim must assume that the opponents have already figured out his system & scheme (even if not) so that he will be able to make the adjustments the moment he sees that the opponent have made their own adjustments.

In sports as well as in war, those who are able to anticipate the moves of the enemy/opponent & make the necessary adjustments will have the highest chance of winning.

[JAMSKIE]

the worrisome for now is our PG spots after Scotty, Chris and Dwight..CJ is not an ideal PG type.

who's next in line? those in the on-going conversation(even from the other thread) are still babies in the elite level.

Well, as I've mentioned in my previous post, Schonny Winston is worth a try as a successor to the ageing Chris Newsome. Winston is already 26 yrs old, though he has no experience playing in the FIBA game, I think he can play in the elite level (kaya nga he needs to be tested). I think if Schonny starts playing the FIBA game & international basketball ASAP, in 2 years time maging hinog na rin sya for the high level.

Another point guard that I see as being a good Gilas material is SJ Belangel. Sorry Ginebra fans but if I have to choose between Belangel & RJ Abarrientos as a prospect for Gilas, I'll prefer the former. While I think RJ is the better offensive player, I think Belangel is the better defender. I also like Belangel's "gulang". Belangel playing in a competitive pro league like the KBL would prepare him to play in the high level.

[bluenote49]

I'm starting to hate how Calvin plays. What happened to his offensive game? When he was under Yeng he looked like a bigger version of Duremdes.

[sroth3839]

I'm starting to hate how Calvin plays. What happened to his offensive game? When he was under Yeng he looked like a bigger version of Duremdes.

More reason to consider Heading, BRP Jr, Navarro, and Tuffin in his place.

Oftana has been underwhelming since the first window.

[IPC]

More reason to consider Heading, BRP Jr, Navarro, and Tuffin in his place.

Oftana has been underwhelming since the first window.

If we're considering replacing Oftana, a defensive SF should replace him. In the pool, we have JB, who's our NP and is 36, Malonzo, who's currently injured, and Quiambao at the 3 spot.

If Parks, Heading, or Tuffin, I think it should be one of the current guards, who I think should be untouchable until injured, retirement, or if there is a clear upgrade.

[JAMSKIE]

If Calvin Oftana's offense can't get going with Gilas, his 3-pt shooting in particular, then he's almost a non-value for Gilas. His defense isn't really within the level of a prime Norwood or a Chris Newsome. Maybe William Navarro would be a better replacement. Navarro's offense seems to have improved since his entrance to the PBA & we know he can play good defense.

[sroth3839]

If we're considering replacing Oftana, a defensive SF should replace him. In the pool, we have JB, who's our NP and is 36, Malonzo, who's currently injured, and Quiambao at the 3 spot.

If Parks, Heading, or Tuffin, I think it should be one of the current guards, who I think should be untouchable until injured, retirement, or if there is a clear upgrade.

Perez. The guy has shaky handles and streaky shooting.

[thatweirdguy]

If Calvin Oftana's offense can't get going with Gilas, his 3-pt shooting in particular, then he's almost a non-value for Gilas. His defense isn't really within the level of a prime Norwood or a Chris Newsome. Maybe William Navarro would be a better replacement. Navarro's offense seems to have improved since his entrance to the PBA & we know he can play good defense.

I've always felt that he stagnated, took a step back after getting traded to TNT.

[bluenote49]

There's no way TC will cut or replace both Oftana & Perez. It will be a bad look and might turn off prospects What I wish TC do is give KQ more playing over Oftana.

I've always felt that he stagnated, took a step back after getting traded to TNT.

Is it because of coaching & the system? I still remember he was a 3 level scorer in Nlex.

[sroth3839]

Is it because of coaching & the system? I still remember he was a 3 level scorer in Nlex.

Because Chot's is DDO and Oftana's Dribble Drive is only bang average.

It's been an issue with Chot Reyes teams: over reliance on athletic guards to create their own shots.

[thatweirdguy]

There's no way TC will cut or replace both Oftana & Perez. It will be a bad look and might turn off prospects What I wish TC do is give KQ more playing over Oftana.



Is it because of coaching & the system? I still remember he was a 3 level scorer in Nlex.

Maybe. And he looked slower/heavier. Probably picked up some bad defensive habits there too

[JAMSKIE]

Guys, who are our top college shooting guards /2-guards in the UAAP & NCAA at present? Nick Cabanero, Jacob Bayla, who else? Who among them are national team potential?

I'm impressed with the skills of Cabanero but he isn't that quick & isn't athletic. It's Jacob Bayla who is athletic & is of good size as he is 6-foot-4/6-foot-5. Bayla however seems still raw & needs some polishing in his offensive skills. The good thing is, he's only around 20 yrs old so he has big room for improvement.

If only Cabanero has the athleticism of Bayla while Bayla has the offensive skills of Cabanero, then I think both will surely be a national team material.

[Metta]

Guys, who are our top college shooting guards /2-guards in the UAAP & NCAA at present? Nick Cabanero, Jacob Bayla, who else? Who among them are national team potential?

I'm impressed with the skills of Cabanero but he isn't that quick & isn't athletic. It's Jacob Bayla who is athletic & is of good size as he is 6-foot-4/6-foot-5. Bayla however seems still raw & needs some polishing in his offensive skills. The good thing is, he's only around 20 yrs old so he has big room for improvement.

If only Cabanero has the athleticism of Bayla while Bayla has the offensive skills of Cabanero, then I think both will surely be a national team material.

Both have great potential but you can't compare them currently because they have about a 4 year age gap. Pinoys always neglect the age difference factor.

Bayla's around 18, about the same age as when Nic entered the league (which is younger than most, for context KQ entered at 21). Comparing them at that same point in time, Nic at UST immediately took the keys of the (lackluster) team. He had good physical strength/frame even at a young age and since he used to play pg, was also very skilled. He was tasked to carry the team offensively so his defense wasn't really noteworthy. What I like about him is his grit which he showcased even when he was still very young.

Contrast that to Bayla with a stacked UP, he's basically a role player. So far, the thing that stands out is his defense. That doesn't mean his offense is bad, it's just the team has so many other weapons. He has good length, athleticism and quickness for a Pinoy. Also a very good ballhandler and his shooting form is good. It would've been interesting if he was put in a situation similar to Nic where he had to instantly be the man.

I would give both a future shot at Gilas.

[Metta]

For the needs of Gilas in the foreseeable future, a guy like Bayla would have an edge (I would put him in a hypothetical cadet team right now). We basically need guys in the mold of Newsome who has great defensive potential. Can't be a slouch on offense (must be a good shooter), but being a big-time scorer isn't a requirement.

[JAMSKIE]

Both have great potential but you can't compare them currently because they have about a 4 year age gap. Pinoys always neglect the age difference factor.

Bayla's around 18, about the same age as when Nic entered the league (which is younger than most, for context KQ entered at 21). Comparing them at that same point in time, Nic at UST immediately took the keys of the (lackluster) team. He had good physical strength/frame even at a young age and since he used to play pg, was also very skilled. He was tasked to carry the team offensively so his defense wasn't really noteworthy. What I like about him is his grit which he showcased even when he was still very young.

Contrast that to Bayla with a stacked UP, he's basically a role player. So far, the thing that stands out is his defense. That doesn't mean his offense is bad, it's just the team has so many other weapons. He has good length, athleticism and quickness for a Pinoy. Also a very good ballhandler and his shooting form is good. It would've been interesting if he was put in a situation similar to Nic where he had to instantly be the man.

I would give both a future shot at Gilas.

Correct. That's why I mentioned in my post that "The good thing is, he's (Bayla) only around 20 yrs old so he has big room for improvement." Well, actually Bayla is slightly younger than I thought. He has just turned 19 actually last month.

I just hope that Bayla would turnout to be the next Chris Newsome. As you've mentioned, Bayla plays good defense (like Newsome). His offense isn't bad, its just that UP is so stacked with talents that is why he isn't given much opportunity in scoring. A 6-foot-4 version of Newsome would be very very interesting.