Top 5 players who can be playing for Philippines

Though the next World Cup will be at 2019, the Philippines should be selecting today who will eventually don the blue-and-white jerseys for the Philippines. In this article, I'll be showing you guys who I believe can be going off into the 2019 championships.

5. Calvin Abueva (Alaska Aces, Forward)

Calvin Abeuva was initially denied a spot in the Philippine roster, owing to his emotional tendencies and attitude. But it seems The Beast has finally tamed himself, at least with his attitude.

Before, he'd be somewhat like the Lance Stephenson of the PBA. He'll be in your face, and even though he won't blow on your ear, he will taunt you. Today, he will still play sticky defense at you, but he'll be more level-minded, more composed, less foul-happy.

And with a hard-working guy like Abueva, who'll scrap for the boards, fight for the 50-50 balls, and keep a hand up against the world's finest, on the team, its hard to imagine Philippines losing the rebound battle.

4. James Yap (San Mig Coffee, Guard/Forward)

 

Seriously, who won't put James Yap in their make-believe Philippine Team?

It's not just because of his fame, most likely not because of his "looks", it's because of his scoring prowess. He can score at will. He has a million moves, as Mico Halili will put it. He's also an unappreciated rebounder, getting 4.3 boards per contest in his whole career.

But what sets him apart from other scorers is his uncanny ability to score the important shots, the game-winners, the buzzer-beaters. Gilas' shortcomings in the end-game is well-chronicled around the globe. And James Yap has shown this year that he can be your go-to guy when you need clutch scoring.

3. Terrence Romeo (GlobalPort, Point Guard) 

 

Romeo is a 5'11 guard, roughly the same height as other point guards of the Philippine team. While the other guards of the Philippines bring their shooting touch and driving skills, Romeo has both, plus a really nasty crossover set.

Romeo can SIZE (pun not intended) up his defender in more than a hundred ways. He can cross you over then step back for a shot, or do a behind-the-back then a crossover. The possibilities are endless. He also has minor international experience, having played for Manila West, the champs, in the recent FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters tournament. Plus, he also possesses a nasty shooting touch, adding more venom in his already potent arsenal.

Now if he can play better defense...

2. Joachim Thoss (Alaska, Forward/Center)

 

Thoss has been part of the Gilas program for a few years, taking part in the 2012 Jones Cup tournament that the Philippines won. He proved he can play internationally, using those hook shots and others.

I wouldn't wonder if the SBP decides to bring back the Boss to the program, even if he won't play. Heck, he could mentor "The Kraken" June Mar Fajardo, teach him a few tricks Danny Ildefonso forgot in his lesson plan.

But if the need arises, Joachim Gunther (I like that name) Thoss can contribute big time for the Filipinos.

1. Greg Slaughter (Barangay Ginebra, Center)

 

Surprised? Don't be.

All of us probably expect Gregzilla to enter the Philippine training pool if he is invited, and we have every reason to be excited.

Slaughter is a 7-foot behemoth with a soft outside touch, and honestly, having a 7-footer is your lineup is a luxury. Think about it: Gilas can trot out a starting 5 of:

G - LA Tenorio
G - Paul Lee
F - Gabe Norwood
F - June Mar Fajardo
C - Andray Blatche

Then when you sub out Fajardo, you get Greg, effectively creating a twin tower combination. However, he lacks a low post move set, which he should work on sometime.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with these picks? Is there someone you want to be here? (GS)

Who to change in Gilas Pilipinas?

With the FIBA Basketball World Cup coming in 8 months, I think I would like to make my own roster for Team Pilipinas. Okay, okay, some may say that this is too early, but I'd like to make this a monthly (or on a two-week basis, it depends) watch till the World Cup, as players tend to change games, up or down, so some may be removed, some may be added.

So, let us start by reviewing the current line-up of Smart Gilas Pilipinas, shall we?

Name	Pos.	#	Age	Ht.	Club
Alapag, Jimmy	PG	4	35	5 ft 9 in	Talk n' Text
Tenorio, Lewis Alfred	PG	5	29	5 ft 8 in	Barangay Ginebra
Chan, Jeffrei Allan	G/F	6	30	6 ft 2 in	Rain or Shine
William, Jayson	PG	7	27	5 ft 11 in	Talk n' Text
David, Gary	G/F	8	35	6 ft 2 in	Meralco
de Ocampo, Ranidel	PF	9	31	6 ft 5 in	Talk n' Text
Norwood, Gabriel Daniel	G/F	10	28	6 ft 5 in	Rain or Shine
Douthit, Marcus	C	11	32	6 ft 11 in	Naturalized
Fonacier, Larry	G/F	12	31	6 ft 2 in	Talk n' Text
Fajardo, June Mar	C	13	23	6 ft 11 in	Petron Blaze
Aguilar, Japeth Paul	F/C	14	26	6 ft 10 in	Barangay Ginebra
Pingris, Jean Marc	PF	15	31	6 ft 5 in	San Mig Coffee
Belga, Beau	C/F	-	27	6 ft 6 in	Rain or Shine
Slaughter, Gregory	C	-	25	7 ft 0 in	Barangay Ginebra
Thoss, Joachim	C	-	32	6 ft 7 in	Alaska
Reyes, Ryan	G	-	30	6 ft 2 in	Talk n' Text
Williams, Kelly	F	-	31	6 ft 7 in	Talk n' Text
Dillinger, Jared	G/F	-	29	6 ft 5 in	Meralco

  
A pretty solid line-up, isn't it? However, the World Cup is in a class of its own. Most of the centers there are those tall but agile types (think Pau Gasol, Kevin Love). Point guards are super quick and tall by Philippine standards (Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook). So how will Philippines compete with teams like USA, France, Spain, etc.?

I believe three-point sniping will be the key for Philippines. Sure, run-and-gun may work, but unlike in FIBA-Asia, centers in the World Cup are sure to chase down every single fastbreak attempt by Gilas. Fonacier, David, Tenorio, Alapag, and Chan will be relied on the three-point sniping. When the defense spreads out, then Douthit, Fajardo, and Pingris can operate inside.

But will the shooters be consistent? David has been really inconsistent the last FIBA-Asia, and if that slump continues on the international stage, then Coach Chot Reyes can't afford to put him in clutch situations. So, I guess David could go out of the line-up for a while. Also, the 1-time PBA Best Player of the Conference is at an old age (35).

So, my choices lead down to Paul Lee of Rain or Shine, Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort, and Marcio Lassiter of Petron. Romeo would immediately not be a choice due to his size, and I guess Mahdi Kamrani of Iran would be happy posting him up. I guess Lassiter's up sides are his experience in international basketball (2-time Philippine team member), his scrappy defense, and consistency with the three-ball. Lee, on the other hand, has that excellent upper body control, wide body, and also an aggressive mindset on attacking the basket.

Name	Pos.	#	Age	Ht.	Club
Alapag, Jimmy	PG	4	35	5 ft 9 in	Talk n' Text
Tenorio, Lewis Alfred	PG	5	29	5 ft 8 in	Barangay Ginebra
Chan, Jeffrei Allan	G/F	6	30	6 ft 2 in	Rain or Shine
William, Jayson	PG	7	27	5 ft 11 in	Talk n' Text
Lassiter, Marcio	G/F	8	26	6 ft 2 in	Petron Blaze
de Ocampo, Ranidel	PF	9	31	6 ft 5 in	Talk n' Text
Norwood, Gabriel Daniel	G/F	10	28	6 ft 5 in	Rain or Shine
Douthit, Marcus	C	11	32	6 ft 11 in	Naturalized
Fonacier, Larry	G/F	12	31	6 ft 2 in	Talk n' Text
Fajardo, June Mar	C	13	23	6 ft 11 in	Petron Blaze
Aguilar, Japeth Paul	F/C	14	26	6 ft 10 in	Barangay Ginebra
Pingris, Jean Marc	PF	15	31	6 ft 5 in	San Mig Coffee

I decided that Lassiter is a better choice for Smart-Gilas, as his great on-ball defense will work wonders against stars of the big league in the world. Also, his shooting touch, paired up with a quick first step, would be of great help for Philippines. His veteran smarts on the international floor is also a great addition to the team.

So, what are your thoughts? Will Lassiter really be a factor? Or should Gilas stick with Gary? Who knows? I'm not Chot Reyes, for heaven's sake. (GS)