Philippines Senior National Team Thread Vol. V

[Athrunzala]

Is Schonny Winston really 6'4? He looks more like 6'1 to me...

[Metta]

Bayla was basically 18 for most of the season. There's a world of difference between a 20 and 18 year old. All scouts are very high on Cooper Flagg and consider him a generational talent even if he sometimes gets outplayed in D1. But, they all consider he's doing what he's doing at 17 years old...which makes all the difference. He's in the conversation to be the # 1 draft while a 20 year old doing what he does maybe gets picked in the 2nd round and then you have 22 year olds who can do what he does and don't get drafted at all.

I would unscientifically assume that the average age of UAAP rotation players is at least 22 (which is supposed to already be the age of graduation for the general population), so guys coming in at 18 and holding their own are pretty much hanging with guys 4 years older. Combine that with the fact that a lot of physicality is allowed (which is advantageous for old veterans) and it becomes more impressive. The NCAA has even older guys and more physicality which is why I can't think of 18 year olds doing well there.

Nic came in with a mature frame which helped him a lot.

[IPC]

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.

We'll need 3&D players in Bayla's positions (2 and 3) in the future. His defense is good, sometimes great, hope he can figure out how to shoot. Good news is, he just turned 19.

[JAMSKIE]

Is Schonny Winston really 6'4? He looks more like 6'1 to me...

The 6-foot-4 listed height of Winston was obviously an exaggeration. You're right. He's more like just 6-foot-1. Still a good size point guard in Asia-Oceania level.

[JAMSKIE]

We'll need 3&D players in Bayla's positions (2 and 3) in the future. His defense is good, sometimes great, hope he can figure out how to shoot. Good news is, he just turned 19.

Bayla's 3-pt shooting is suspect at this point although it has somewhat improved a bit compared to 2 years ago. If we look at it, Chis Newsome's 3-pt shooting also was suspect during his younger years but he has improved it & right now, you just can't let Newsome take an open 3-pointer if you're the opponent.

[JAMSKIE]

Bayla was basically 18 for most of the season. There's a world of difference between a 20 and 18 year old. All scouts are very high on Cooper Flagg and consider him a generational talent even if he sometimes gets outplayed in D1. But, they all consider he's doing what he's doing at 17 years old...which makes all the difference. He's in the conversation to be the # 1 draft while a 20 year old doing what he does maybe gets picked in the 2nd round and then you have 22 year olds who can do what he does and don't get drafted at all.

I would unscientifically assume that the average age of UAAP rotation players is at least 22 (which is supposed to already be the age of graduation for the general population), so guys coming in at 18 and holding their own are pretty much hanging with guys 4 years older. Combine that with the fact that a lot of physicality is allowed (which is advantageous for old veterans) and it becomes more impressive. The NCAA has even older guys and more physicality which is why I can't think of 18 year olds doing well there.

Nic came in with a mature frame which helped him a lot.

For players in their teens & in their early 20's, a 2-year age difference has a significant impact. I say Kai Sotto currently at 22 years of age is a significantly better player than when he was 20 yrs old.

[IPC]

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.

For team needs, I think the team could benefit from having 3&D wings in the 193-201cm (6'4"-6'7") range who can defend at least two positions. Good pieces for a defensive foundation (which I think is basically interior defense and some good wing or point-of-attack defenders), and solid enough to space the floor. Versatile defensive fours in the 198-203cm (6'6"-6'8") range and 201cm+ bigs who can defend the interior could help too.

[BJ_Reloaded]

if were talking about "foreseeable future". I think the kids who will be selected by LA and Grandpa Chualay for the next batch of U16 and U18

would only be available or I would say "ripe" for the Senior level starting from 2031-32 cycle unless some of the kids already had that high level skills sets and BBIQ

to play in the Mens team in the immediate future like 17 yr. old JJ Mandaquit, 18 yr. old Dylan Harper, the Hinton bros. of CTE whom I think can now play for the

Mens team even though their production would not be that impactful for now esp. against the seasoned ballers from the other nation esp. against the likes of AUS and NZL Mens team.

just look at 20 yrs. old Mason Amos even though his production was still meager for now in the Senior level but we see the potential considering he was already part of the Senior Team since he is barely 18 yrs. old after his stint for U18.

ideally, establishing a Cadet or Developmental team is a big thumbs up as far as establishing a sound basketball program.

we've already discussing this "Cadet thing" since the time of adam and what makes this topic very engaging is that the aspiration always stays fresh, it is continuous evolving.

esp. now that there's a new batch of people who will handle the youth program moving forward.

it's already been released that the current Mens team are geared towards 2028 LA Olympics

CTC already explained his sides about his compact line-up because he doesn't want to teach everything using a large pool

I think he already admitted(?) that he is impatient to do that because of so many circumstances..for him it's time consuming.

now if we breakdown the goal towards LA Olympics, indeed several sanctioned and non-sanctioned events will take place, assuming Gilas committed to join all those tournaments.

will never know, just hope for the best for our basketball program.

FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers(final window) Feb. 19 to 25, 2025

2025 Jones Cup @ New Taipeh Gymnasium, date: ??

FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Aug. 5 to 17, 2025 @ Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (confirmed and qualified)

2027 FIBA World Cup Qualification - 1st Window Nov. 24 to Dec. 2, 2025

33rd SEA Games Dec 7 to 19, 2025 @ Pattaya, Thailand (mandatory)

2027 FIBA World Cup Qualification - 2nd Window Feb. 23 to Mar. 3, 2026

2027 FIBA World Cup Qualification - 3rd Window Jun. 29 to July 7, 2026 (if necessary)

2026 Jones Cup @ New Taipeh Gymnasium, date: ??

2027 FIBA World Cup Qualification - 4th Window Aug. 24 to Sept. 1, 2026 (if necessary)

20th Asian Games Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, 2026 @ Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (defending champ; confirmed)

2027 FIBA World Cup Qualification - 5th Window Nov. 23 to Dec.1, 2026 (if necessary)

2027 FIBA World Cup Qualification - 6th Window Feb. 22 to Mar. 2, 2027 (if necessary)

2027 FIBA World Cup Aug. 27 to Sept. 12, 2027 @ Doha, Qatar (depending on the result of the 6 Windows)

34th SEA Games 2027 @ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia date:?? (mandatory)

2028 OQT for LA Olympics (if necessary)

Pocket tournament for 2028 LA Olympics (if necessary)

I am fully aware that it will really require an exponential amount of money moving forward that is given "it is what it is"

with the financial muscles of both MVP and SMC group combined I don't think our basketball program will be short-handed

for me personally, I really had a gut feeling that they will form a Senior Team B composed of few homegrowns and some young ineligibles that has a fighting chance to get exempted

and Team C composed of U16/U18, few tall homegrowns and some blue chip hafus.

if we pick the statement of Grandpa Chualay's youtube interview about "it should have a smooth transition from Youth to Mens". "The concept of a spare tire storyline".

there you go.

[magic_chiongson]

just realized bayla is eligible for the KBL, both his parents are filipinos. he might only last 2-3 seasons with UP, which is good for philippine basketball

[magic_chiongson]

Is Schonny Winston really 6'4? He looks more like 6'1 to me...

he's 6'1", still a decent size for a combo guard

[IPC]

just realized bayla is eligible for the KBL, both his parents are filipinos. he might only last 2-3 seasons with UP, which is good for philippine basketball

If he develops quickly with UP, that can be possible.

[alfrancis]

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.

I see him more as a Dwight Ramos type of player. At 6'4, he's a good sized 2 in FIBA tourneys.

[Metta]

I see him more as a Dwight Ramos type of player. At 6'4, he's a good sized 2 in FIBA tourneys.

He can indeed be the Ramos successor. I'm just hoping we'd have someone taller for that role (still hoping Caelum figures it out) while Bayla replaces Newsome.

[lem0nadi]

Edryn Morales is more similar to Dwight Ramos than Jacob Bayla. He has more stable shooting and dribbling, which aligns with Dwight's consistency in those aspects.

[lem0nadi]

just realized bayla is eligible for the KBL, both his parents are filipinos. he might only last 2-3 seasons with UP, which is good for philippine basketball

He did try out for the Samsung Thunders actually, before he commited to UP.