FIBA ASIA Cup Qualifiers

[IPC]

Imo, the offense was not the reason we lost. We came back and even got the lead back in the crucial moments, we scored enough. (and the triangle is an old offense, Taiwan is the one that used a new 5-out offense). Old vs new.

The problem is more on the defensive end. We had no answer for their shooters and they kept hitting it until the end.

Let's say we had trad PGs...he has to be a plus defender Trad PG who can cover a lot of ground and be versatile (big) enough to constantly switch. If not, it will open up another whole can of worms where we can't play ultra big (and that includes Kai).

If there's a trad pg that could've covered those Taiwanese shooters last night and at the same time have the ability to cover for our slow bigs, then yes by all means he should be considered.

Guys are so fixated on the offensive side, analyze the defensive side. Whatever improvements we do should also impact that side.

A lot of my fixation has been on the defensive side because of the tournaments we won and lost due to our defense (or lack thereof). Hence why I prefer defensive call-ups in key positions like the 3 and the 5, as well as someone who can protect the paint in Kai's and AJ's absence as our NP after JB retires. They hit contested shots too, although they probably got in rhythm by that time.

Taiwan's shots came off transition, pick-and-rolls or pick-and-pops, and offensive rebounds.

As for scoring, only six players scored last night. JB, Dwight, AJ, June Mar, New, and Scottie. That's the offensive part that needs fixing, spreading the scoring load so that we don't have to rely too much on the NP. Turnovers as well.

[JAMSKIE]

Imo, the offense was not the reason we lost. We came back and even got the lead back in the crucial moments, we scored enough. (and the triangle is an old offense, Taiwan is the one that used a new 5-out offense). Old vs new.

The problem is more on the defensive end. We had no answer for their shooters and they kept hitting it until the end.

Let's say we had trad PGs...he has to be a plus defender Trad PG who can cover a lot of ground and be versatile (big) enough to constantly switch. If not, it will open up another whole can of worms where we can't play ultra big (and that includes Kai).

If there's a trad pg that could've covered those Taiwanese shooters last night and at the same time have the ability to cover for our slow bigs, then yes by all means he should be considered.

Guys are so fixated on the offensive side, analyze the defensive side. Whatever improvements we do should also impact that side.

I'm aware about the shortcoming in our defense last night. Allowing Taiwan to score 91 pts. speaks a lot of our defensive flaw. And to think that this current Gilas team is supposedly a better defensive team than the previous iterations of Gilas team. But what I'm saying is that the complexion of the team would have been different if we have some natural or traditional point guards in there. Hindi sana tayo naging susceptible sa ball pressure ng Taiwan if we have natural point guards in there.

[IPC]

I'm aware about the shortcoming in our defense last night. Allowing Taiwan to score 91 pts. speaks a lot of our defensive flaw. And to think that this current Gilas team is supposedly a better defensive team than the previous iterations of Gilas team. But what I'm saying is that the complexion of the team would have been different if we have some natural or traditional point guards in there. Hindi sana tayo naging susceptible sa ball pressure ng Taiwan if we have natural point guards in there.

We need someone who can bring the ball up under pressure. That doesn't necessarily have to come from the point guard spot.

[Rds]

A lot of my fixation has been on the defensive side because of the tournaments we won and lost due to our defense (or lack thereof). Hence why I prefer defensive call-ups in key positions like the 3 and the 5, as well as someone who can protect the paint in Kai's and AJ's absence as our NP after JB retires. They hit contested shots too, although they probably got in rhythm by that time.

Taiwan's shots came off transition, pick-and-rolls or pick-and-pops, and offensive rebounds.

As for scoring, only six players scored last night. JB, Dwight, AJ, June Mar, New, and Scottie. That's the offensive part that needs fixing, spreading the scoring load so that we don't have to rely too much on the NP. Turnovers as well.

QMB eligibility is a big if. We cannot also wait for exemptions in order to build our team. So what else, pick Kouame over JB? So how do improve our 5 defense?

[JAMSKIE]

For taiwan only one hinton was needed.. the problem of taiwan will be their abundance from 1-3 position..

Yet it was Taiwan's wings & guards that killed us last night. Meron pa nga silang pang gulat na player - someone our team didn't prepare for pero pumutok off the bench. That's something we don't have or our system prevents it from happening.

[Rds]

We need someone who can bring the ball up under pressure. That doesn't necessarily have to come from the point guard spot.

I am also curious to this. It seems to me this is a weakness of the triangle. Your bigs cant help screen in the back court because they are in post position on the other side. Your 3 can help but we dont want JB to do that. Which potential SF can help up us bring the ball?

[Metta]

A lot of my fixation has been on the defensive side because of the tournaments we won and lost due to our defense (or lack thereof). Hence why I prefer defensive call-ups in key positions like the 3 and the 5, as well as someone who can protect the paint in Kai's and AJ's absence as our NP after JB retires. They hit contested shots too, although they probably got in rhythm by that time.

Taiwan's shots came off transition, pick-and-rolls or pick-and-pops, and offensive rebounds.

As for scoring, only six players scored last night. JB, Dwight, AJ, June Mar, New, and Scottie. That's the offensive part that needs fixing, spreading the scoring load so that we don't have to rely too much on the NP. Turnovers as well.

The team inexplicably played such a short rotation, probably only 7 played meaningful minutes. Hence, only 6 scored. No doubt, the whole team played poorly with too many turnovers. Brownlee had the hot hand (like he frequently gets) so they fed him. On the final run, Edu, Newsome and Iskati contributed on the offensive side (not just thru points). Taiwan just kept hitting on the other side.

Taiwan's back-breaking 3s were on set defenses. Their 5-out offense constantly had us scrambling which led to poor spacing that led to gaps and poor boxing out. It also enabled them to dictate the tempo (run and gun) which also contributed to our gigil turnovers.

[JAMSKIE]

We need someone who can bring the ball up under pressure. That doesn't necessarily have to come from the point guard spot.

Do we have such player right now?

We all know how susceptible CJ Perez & at times Iskati Thompson bringing the ball under pressure. We've seen that during the Gilas-Angola game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Guess who did better bringing the ball up under pressure in that game? It was among the most hated Gilas player in recent years - Kiefer Ravena.

[The_Big_Cat]

Tim should trust his bench..

This is classic Tim Cone since his debut year with Alaska in the late 1980s. He relies on a short rotation with around 8-10 guys only. Tim is a throwback coach. But what can fans do its his style and has shown good results.

I am not worried about the loss last night. I am more concerned Tim’s adjustments for the next tournament in terms of adding a few talents to the pool. I hope he realizes this.

[Rds]

The team inexplicably played such a short rotation, probably only 7 played meaningful minutes. Hence, only 6 scored. No doubt, the whole team played poorly with too many turnovers. Brownlee had the hot hand (like he frequently gets) so they fed him. On the final run, Edu, Newsome and Iskati contributed on the offensive side (not just thru points). Taiwan just kept hitting on the other side.

Taiwan's back-breaking 3s were on set defenses. Their 5-out offense constantly had us scrambling which led to poor spacing that led to gaps and poor boxing out. It also enabled them to dictate the tempo (run and gun) which also contributed to our gigil turnovers.

IMO defense is best established early so as not to give momentum to your opponet. We cannot do this if we play JF major minutes. I propose we move away from the triangle a bit and feature Edu in more PNRs. Let’s not use or seldom use JF like we did with Chot. Play him in short bursts only to minimize his effect on our defense.

IRC San Mig Coffee in its 4 peat did not run the triangle exclusively. Please double check me on this. I remember they had a fast pace attack led by Barroca.

[Rds]

Do we have such player right now?

We all know how susceptible CJ Perez & at times Iskati Thompson bringing the ball under pressure. We've seen that during the Gilas-Angola game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Guess who did better bringing the ball up under pressure in that game? It was among the most hated Gilas player in recent years - Kiefer Ravena.

Moving away from the triangle can help with this. Bring in guys like Edu or Carl to either screen or be an outlet for our guards.

[Metta]

I'm aware about the shortcoming in our defense last night. Allowing Taiwan to score 91 pts. speaks a lot of our defensive flaw. And to think that this current Gilas team is supposedly a better defensive team than the previous iterations of Gilas team. But what I'm saying is that the complexion of the team would have been different if we have some natural or traditional point guards in there. Hindi sana tayo naging susceptible sa ball pressure ng Taiwan if we have natural point guards in there.

I hear you. But there's a danger of reading too much into this one game wherein the other team shot lights out. When a team can't miss, chances are they will win no matter what. That's modern style basketball like team Japan...they will shoot themselves to death. And when it's going in, it's hard to beat.

We are not built for that. Our success has been through size and defense. That's the team identity. Yes by all means we can get a better PG, but he should be in line with retaining our identity which is defense and size.

[JAMSKIE]

I am also curious to this. It seems to me this is a weakness of the triangle. Your bigs cant help screen in the back court because they are in post position on the other side. Your 3 can help but we dont want JB to do that. Which potential SF can help up us bring the ball?

Dwight Lamos?

[Silent Killer]

We need someone who can bring the ball up under pressure. That doesn't necessarily have to come from the point guard spot.

been harping kiefer for a long time that made people say he is my fave.. it is not but he’s the best PG out there..

[JAMSKIE]

I hear you. But there's a danger of reading too much into this one game wherein the other team shot lights out. When a team can't miss, chances are they will win no matter what. That's modern style basketball like team Japan...they will shoot themselves to death. And when it's going in, it's hard to beat.

We are not built for that. Our success has been through size and defense. That's the team identity. Yes by all means we can get a better PG, but he should be in line with retaining our identity which is defense and size.

Yeah I get your point.

A defensive strategy that may work against teams like Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, which have size & physicality, may not work against teams like Taiwan, Japan, South Korea which relies on speed, 3-pt. shooting & crisp passing. That's the challenge playing in Asian basketball, very diverse yung mga teams.