In a few days, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas will be announcing the final line-up of the Philippine Men’s Basketball Team who will play in the FIBA World Championship in Spain.
If I were a part of the selection committee, I would be naming the following to compose the team, based on their performance in the last PBA Season, their experience and ability to play in international basketball, and of course their physical readiness to play.
Andray Blatche is a given. Barring any health issue he will be taking the slot of Marcus Douhit. Of course, if Blatche suddenly becomes unavailable(God forbid) Douhit will be taking over his role.
So the choice for the locals is left to eleven players.
In the guard positions, I would have Jason Castro, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger and Jimmy Alapag.
As I wrote in a previous article, Marc Barroca is at present the best point guard that we have, but since he is not in the pool (I do not know the reason why) then the team will have to make do without him this time.
Jason Castro has proven his worth, so his place as the starting point guard is assured. Coach Chot has been playing Paul Lee in the 2 position, but I would think that he should be Castro’s back-up or be the sixth man from the bench.
The nerves of steel that Lee demonstrated in his first stint with the national team erased all sorts of speculation about his rightful place with Gilas. Gabe Norwood has the height and the ball handling ability of a point, plus a much improved perimeter shot. Jared Dillinger has the strength and the hustle, and if able to rein in his horses and minimize his errors, he will provide the inside penetration that is presently the characteristic of international play.
Jimmy Alapag has always shone in international competition, and should be able to provide order, when called for. Jimmy should be able to contribute valuable minutes from the bench.
In the forward position, I would have Marc Pingris, Beau Belga, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jeff Chan and Japeth Aguilar.
Ping is without argument—despite his lack of size— still the best all around power forward that we have. Beau Belga has the heart, the courage and the heft to bang bodies with anybody. He shoots from the outside too, which is a plus. Ranidel is the most consistent performer among them, whether in the PBA or in international competitions. Jeff Chan has no comparison as a small forward. Japeth is the best finisher in an open court situation.
That leaves the backup to Andray Blatche, which can only be filled-up by Junmar Fajardo.
I was wondering why Junmar was used very sparingly by Coach Chot in the Stankovich Cup, when it would have been a good opportunity for him to play against the best bigs in Asia. News clips have however, filtered from the Gilas training camp in Florida that the newly crowned MVP was instrumental in the team’s successful tune-up games.
A third center, if necessary could be filled in by Beau Belga, so the keyhole would be a solid spot for Gilas if Pingris and Ranidel are in the court at the same time.
While we are in the subject of Gilas, let me just comment on the non-inclusion of some players who ought to be in the pool, but are not.
Greg Slaughter of course begged off, but he should have been persuaded to stay. Ian Sangalang, as a rookie has shown that he cannot be intimidated by anybody. A few more pounds, and with the moves that he now has and will further develop, he will be a great contributor to the national team in the near future.
Calvin Abueva can provide the hustle and energy that the nationals sometimes need.
And of course, my favourite subject, Marc Barroca. If he continues to play the way he is playing, it is a great disservice to the nation to keep him out of the team.
If the SBP will continue to keep the nucleus of the team, and add somebody to replace a member of the pool whose mind and body could no longer bear the rigors of representing the flag, then the Philippine Men’s Team would never go back to being the doormat in Asian basketball.
May the PBA and Manny Pangilinan never waver in their love and support for Philippine basketball.
Who knows, the team might score in surprise in Spain.
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