Arguments against a long-term national team program

Smart Gilas was built exactly for the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney with the goal of getting a Gold medal and subsequently Olympic berth. Although they weren't able to nab a medal, Smart Gilas' stint at the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney in Wuhan received alot of praise. Nearly reaching the finals, Gilas was deemed a successful program by most.

While I also consider Gilas' stint at the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney a success and believe that each and every one of Gilas' players deserve praise, I for one, do not attribute their success to the long-term program. Most people may be asking how could I say such a thing, so I will enumerate my arguments against the long-term national team program.

1. Marcus Douthit was the key to success, not the long-term program

For a long time, the only thing missing for the Philippine National Basketball team has been a dominant force down low. Philippine center Marcus Douthit was one of the best players of the tournament, with averages of 22 points and 12 rebounds per game. He also fills a hole that the Philippine Team has needed for years. Marcus is by far the most important member of the team.

2. The performance of Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams

Late additions to the team, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams all played crucial roles. Kelly and Ranidel alternated as the starting power forward and Jimmy got the lion's share of minutes at the point guard spot. Jimmy ended up as the third leading scorer of Gilas and was second in assists to JV Casio by a small margin. Ranidel ended up as the fifth best scorer and rebounder. Kelly Williams was the fourth best rebounder of the team.

3. A long-term pool will force the team to employ mostly amateur players

Smart Gilas was composed of mostly amateur players who are just now turning pro. One of the problems with this is that there is always the possibility that an excellent player in college may not be as good when playing against pros or simply put a bust. Chris Tiu and Japeth Aguilar, to me atleast, were some of the central players of the Smart Gilas' program. Although both are good players, they have limitations that have been exposed in the international game.

Amateur players also lack the experience that veterans have. I believe this was apparent in the latter stages of the 2011 FIBA Asia tournament. I believe the Philippine team may have been in the finals, or at least get the bronze medal, had a more mature, experience team been playing.

But of course there is also the problem of actually getting the pros to play for the national team..

Smart Gilas and the future

First and foremost, congratulations to Smart Gilas for an impressive start at the 2011 FIBA Asia tournament in Wuhan, China. They only lost once, to the host team, China. They are set to face Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in the quarter finals this Friday. If they win that game, they will likely face Iran, who are the reigning Asian champions. And if they win against Iran they will then likely face China, which has been the dominant force in the region for the past decade and is the host team of the current tournament.

Looking forward let's see how the outlook is for China, Iran and the Philippine team in particular. China has the young phenom Guo Ailun, who was the youngest player at 16, at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and three 21 year olds in their national team. Iran has Arsalan Kazemi who is part of their national team and plays for Rice in the US NCAA Division 1.

The Philippine team's prospects for future big men include the 7'0 Greg Slaughter, the 6'10 Junemar Fajardo to man the center spot, possibly with the 6'11 Marcus Douthit. Arnold Van Opstal is also an option at the center or power forward slot. The 6'9.5 Japeth Aguilar, 6'8 Christian Standhardinger, 6'7 Yousef Taha, 6'7 Norbert Torres could be the solution at power forward.

While it's best to have a natural small forward, it seems that the surplus of guards and the lack of small forwards has given us a three guard lineup, while someone like Aldrech Ramos is turning into a good small forward for Gilas, and someone similar like Russell Escoto could possibly make the transition as well, the surplus of guards makes it difficult to play a natural small forward because of the surplus guards, albeit undersized at the three spot, are often more talented than our small forwards.

As for our guards and pseudo small forwards, there are many talents available, included are Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Stephen Holt, Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Banchero, Michael Williams, RR Garcia, Alex Nuyles, Ronald Pascual, Calvin Abueva, Baser Amer, Kevin Ferrer, Jeron Teng, Stanley Pringle and also the veteran guards of Gilas, Chris Tiu, Jayvee Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and Jimmy Alapag could play Chauncey Billups' role in Turkey this past summer.

But remember, all of this is easier said than done. Club/Team interest seem to come before the national team in our country.

My ideal future Philippine 12 is

Cc - Douthit, Slaughter, Fajardo
PF - Standhardinger, Taha
SF - Parks,
SG - Williams, Ravena, Teng
PG - Holt, Banchero, Alapag

with Aguilar, Ferrer and Torres, Pascual and Abueva as part of the pool.