RP TEAM: It's on once again

As early as two weeks ago there were reports circulating that the PBA has once again committed to supporting the Men's Basketball National Team. And so here we go again... What is good for Philippines basketball is good for every hoop-loving citizen in this country. We might fail every single time but we rise up as one every time as well because of our passion for the game.

Excerpts from an article from the Philippine Star:

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said the coach of the RP team to the world qualifier next year would come from the PBA ranks and would be given full authority to form his team. However, Barrios, the man with the sole mandate to name the next national coach, said he’s not yet ready to make the choice. “I’ll break my head about the national team only after the Fiesta Cup. After the season, I’ll have a better landscape choosing the most deserving coach,” said Barrios. The PBA board of governors, in a special meeting Monday, approved SBP’s request for the pro league to supply players for the national team to the 2008 FIBA Asia championship next year in China. The tourney also serves as regional qualifier for the 2010 world championship in Turkey.

Assuming that it is Yeng Guiao who is tapped for the next one to two years as the national coach... a) There'll be a bunch of (good to great) players who will not be called upon because of attitude problem and the basic necessity to work within the system of a team; b) Dedication on defense c) Consistency (on both ends) off the floor despite inconsistent minutes (which is a tangent of letter a but needs to be addressed nonetheless for emphasis) For a) it's bye-bye to Mark Caguioa, Danny Seigle, Willie Miller and the likes. There are others as well but that's pretty much the A-list for the rather "selfish" and considered by many as non-team players (one way and the other) for b) the premium is on defensive bigmen and energy glue-guys; bye-bye to Yancy de Ocampo (we could use the 6 foot 9 frame with shooting but too lazy), to Arwind Santos (who is good but has very low basketball IQ), to KG Canaleta (who is as good as Santos but has the same level in basketball IQ; his three point shooting is improving though... just to mention some...

So here's my RP National Team for the 2009 qualifiers:

PG - Jimmy Alapag - Clearly his game elevates in the international scene. His heart exemplifies what Filipino basketball should be about)
- Ryan Reyes - He is one of the future premiere guards in the league, his size and heft and the ability to play the point is big in foreign land. Wasn't too impressed with Jay Jay Helterbrand in his last stint, i thought he showed too much immaturity for his age.

SG - Don Don Hontiveros - Couple or more booboos during the pre-tournaments (Jones Cup), but showed he can defend bigger players which is very important for the squad; also his offense did not suffer as much despite being used as one of the main perimeter defenders.
- James Yap - Gunners are at premium and he is the best shooter in the land. Can slide to the 3-spot as well.
- Ren Ren Ritualo - a specialist more than anything.

SF - Gabe Norwood - i hate to start him because he can play 3 positions and that's a luxury off the bench. Nonetheless, he is a shoo-in. He is the reason as well why we don't need a third point guard because he can play that position.

- Jay Washington - tough, tough draw on this one. But if we need quickness and defense and versatility, he fits the bill


PF - Kelly Williams - may slide to the 3-spot when necessary and we want to go big. Slashing and a little bit of range plus his athleticism will surely help us

- Ranidel de Ocampo - Impressive during his stint last time. Showed he can push even though his opponents were 4-5 inches taller. His range helps as well

C - Enrico Villanueva - Might want to start him just to send a message. Maybe too foul prone but he knows that already and we need his fire (and maybe pick a little fight against the foreigners here and there)
- Mick Pennissi - Rico and Mick again? Why not, our big man will be the enforcers and these two are the best in the business. The big errr slick also has that 3 pointer and that helps at the C-spot.
- Japeth Aguilar - More than anything the "project-slash-prospect" of the squad. If he has indeed showed improvement, well and good. If not the experience will pay off down the road.

Outside the bubble (Injury replacements) Asi Taulava is turning 36 in 2009 and Pennissi is 2 years younger... He still can play but we only need one veteran presence down low and Pennisi's range gives him the nod. Helterbrand as i've mentioned is a good player but i think we need Reyes' and Norwood's size down at the position anyway... Cyrus Baguio could be an option, but outside of being Guiao's player his game doesn't fit the internationall ball... Kirby Raymundo showed a lot of heart last time as well, he can replace Aguilar if the latter is deemed not ready...

Clearly, we should simply send the best if we want to have that chance. And there is no other way but to go the PBA way. Now that the pro league is assigned to that, they shall return the favor and send the best players to form the best possible team.