Novel Ideas

     I don't claim to be the brightest bulb in any room, even in the kitchen, but if people who thought they weren't the smartest never threw their ideas out there, who knows what great inventions we would've missed?  So, here are two that would be great for Philippine basketball.


Survivor Series

     As early as now, doomsayers (or "true fans," as they fancy to call themselves), lick their chops in anticipation of Smart Gilas' failure to qualify to the 2012 London Olympics, they are predicting the disbandment of the current Gilas roster and maybe even the program itself.  Coach Rajko Toroman and Captain Chris Tiu have batted for Gilas' continued existence and I think it's not too impossible to keep it running.  

     Given that most of Gilas want to join the PBA and start earning pro money, several players will survive to stay in Gilas. Tiu has been candid about preferring to play for the country and Marcus Douthit would love to stay as well.  Add in the current amateurs Greg Slaughter and Aldrech Ramos and Gilas already has four relatively experienced players.  Now, say Manny Pangilinan opens his wallet and offers the PBA maximum salary to JVee Casio, he would stay as well.  Then, Gilas can complete its roster with players from the Sinag program, guys like R.R. Garcia, Terrence Romeo, Jeric Teng and even players like Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena and the mysteriously absent Art de la Cruz Jr.  If the team continues to need reinforcements, they can then ask for "PBA reinforcements," meaning the current Gilas players (that would already be in the PBA by then) who already know the system.  Even if they rejoin Gilas late in the game, they can immediately jump back in.  This way, the Smart Gilas program continues, the PBA gets the Gilas players they covet so much and we still have a continuing basketball program who lives and breathes amateur style ball.  


     It's not the best solution available, but it is the most possible isn't it?


Summer Slam


     Another idea that would be a boon to Philippine basketball would involve nothing but a calendar.  One of the problems Smart Gilas has been encountering lately is manpower problems.  PBA reinforcements have left the team in the cold to play pro ball while college standouts have been called back to play in the UAAP.  Am I daft or could this all be solved by checking the calendar?

     The UAAP runs from July to September or even October.  Everyone knows that that time is the perfect preparation time for all big FIBA tournaments as the big ones are usually set in August or September.  It then begs the question, "Why not schedule the UAAP/NCAA games in the summer?"  The summer, March to May, would be perfect for college ball.  With school out, players can concentrate on playing and their studies wouldn't suffer.  More students could come and watch too as they all have no homework or projects to worry about.  Meanwhile, players will be available for national team duty starting May and they would be ready by September.  

     Ditto for the PBA as well.  Since the league loves the NBA so much, why not copy it?  If the season starts October, it can end by June or July.  If any (and we're talking of only a few players) are called for national team duty, they would be available early, especially those whose teams are eliminated early.  They will also be available months before the big FIBA tournaments.  Besides, avoiding the July to September time would also be helpful to fill up arenas.  Avoiding games during this time can help the PBA avoid typhoon and flooding season and even the big Hollywood summer movie season, both of which are significant challengers to game attendance.


     Am I over-simplifying things or are our supposedly "eternal problems" in Philippine basketball entirely solvable?  All I know is, if we all want it so much, we can find a way to make Philippine basketball one big successful situation.     


photos courtesy of FIBA Asia and inboundspass

The World is Alright

     When you're a kid, one of the lessons ingrained in your head is one about hard work and perseverance.  "You have to work hard, keep trying and never give up!" so the lesson goes. It sounds simple enough and it's a noble one.  Yet, the world in its modern age, has become cutthroat; overcome with an obsession for results,records, and achievements, but never about the hard work.  It brought in desperation and greed morphing the lesson into a horrible mantra. "Be practical.  You have to find the easiest solution to get what you want."  That's why the world, as we know it, sucks most of the time. That's why we don't know what to tell children when we try to convince them that the world is alright.

     Dirk Nowitzki entered the NBA full of dreams and promise.  A talented, other-wordly shooter in a seven foot body, the German was a phenom in waiting.  He became a superstar, a franchise player and soon a city's dream of a first NBA title would fall on his shoulders.  He would fail.  Going up 2-0 in the 2006 NBA Finals against Miami, Nowitzki and his Mavericks stood on the cusp of fulfilling Dallas' dreams to NBA glory, but a monumental collapse led to a Miami title that year.  The loss was tough on the Mavs and Dirk, beginning a string of playoff failures in the years that followed.  Brickbats came hard and they came fast. Nowitzki, the phenom, was branded as a "soft player," "choker," and one who didn't possess the needed leadership skills needed to win a title.  He was used as the personification of the European stereo type, skilled players who couldn't take physicality.  

     This year was no different.  Former NBA pro Chris Webber called Nowitzki out for not being tough enough. Dwayne Wade and Lebron James questioned the factuality of Nowitzki's broken finger and scoffed at his 107 degree fever in game 5 of the NBA Finals.  

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Bitter Pills

     Despite the gutsy effort from Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the recently-concluded 22nd FIBA Asia Champions' Cup resulting in a record 4th place finish, there continues to be brickbats thrown at the national team and its followers scrambling to defend them.  With Gilas' ultimate goal waiting in September in Wuhan, China, the country has barely three months to unite everyone to present a united front.  For both the haters and the fans, here are some bitter pills to swallow.


For the Smart Gilas Fans


Pill # 1 Smart Gilas players have yet to learn everything.

     As long as they have trained together, it's clear Gilas needs more time.  Too often the players try too hard to find the completely open shot, foregoing a relatively open shot and thereby stagnating the offense.  It's admirable that the players are very unselfish with the ball, but they should also be wary of passing up shots and later causing a forced one before the shot clock expires.  The next three months are crucial to these young men, as the multiple tune up games will give them opportunities to learn more discretion in shooting.


Pill # 2 Smart Gilas needs the PBA's help.

     Of course, its ideal to have players be with the program for the entire three years. PBA players joining the team after the Governors' Cup in August could disrupt chemistry but Gilas needs reinforcements. Each of Coach Rajko Toroman's choices for PBA help serve to plug the holes in the team.  If Gilas were a 6 to 8 year program then it would be fine to go all amateur, but since everyone wants Gilas to win this year or bust, then, PBA reinforcements are key.

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Director's Cut

     It was an anti-climactic close out game for Gilas, as poor shooting, especially from outside the three point arc doomed them as they succumbed to Al Rayyan Qatar, 71 to 64 to settle for 4th place in the 22nd FIBA Asia Champion's Cup, the Philippine's highest placing in 15 years.  Nevertheless, there was no diminishing the sterling performance of this young team, evident in the way the crowd waited until after the game to give them an applause they truly deserved.  While my penchant for verbosity can talk about Gilas and their performance endlessly, I feel it's best to take others' words this time.


Audio Commentary

• "You guys (Gilas) almost had it. Just a few more shots and you could've won," proclaimed ASU Jordan star Osama Dahgles after the Iran vs Gilas game when I ran into him at the Podium.  He was shaking his head in disbelief.

• "Like has been their wont in the competition – some might even say for the last three years – Smart Gilas displayed tremendous character and characteristic effervescence in the display of their sublime skills," according to S. Mageshwaran of FIBA-Asia.

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Lighthouse

     They did not disappoint.  What was billed as an epic battle was indeed just that.  The capacity crowd, filled with Filipinos and a small, dedicated group of Persians, were left cheering, shouting and shaking their heads in disbelief.  After all, the finish typified the struggle both teams faced the entire game.    Even clutch free throws from Nikkhah Bahrami could not close out the feisty Pinoys, as Mahram watched with clenched teeth as Gilas attempted two open threes that would've tied the game.  Smart Gilas Pilipinas and Mahram Iran battled, scraped and fought for 40 hard minutes and in the end, the result, an 80-77 win by Mahram was only as important as the war that preceded it.  


High Lights


1.  What was most gratifying to see in the game was the effort from both teams.  Many detractors have pointed out that this wasn't the Olympic qualifier; a victory here would not add to the Olympic chances of either team.  Yet, on the court, both teams gave literally everything they've got and in that way, gave honor to the game of basketball that often times has been tarnished by betting and cash.  

2.  Iran, as expected, was very disciplined, very athletic and very big, but apparently, no one told Smart Gilas that.  Gilas today showed a swagger, a confidence and a certain defiance and it showed on the court.  Gone are the blank looks of confusion and shock from the other Philippine teams of the past.  Today there were only intense, passionate looks and it translated into the superb play the crowd witnessed.

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Spot the Difference

     Not since 2007 has a non-Middle East team made it to the semi-finals of the FIBA Asia Champions' Cup, and it figures that Smart Gilas, the team that could, is the one who made it.  Trailing by as many as 15, Gilas summoned the courage and resiliency I've been saying (for the past 2 years) they have to rattle off a searing run, capped by a Chris Tiu 3 pointer and a Japeth Aguilar 3-point play to seize the lead from Al-Jalaa Syria.  Then, they never looked back and held on to make history, beating Syria, 85-80.


     Finally getting into the Phil Sports Arena early, I got to talking to some of the spectators and it was truly a rewarding experience.

     Getting into the Iran-Saudi Arabia game at the 3rd quarter, I notice rabid cheering for the defending champs and I'm startled to see the score show a 25 point lead.  Judging by the noise, I would've thought the score was a lot closer.  I then fix my eyes on the source of all the excitement.  I meet Amin, a college student,  just one of the close to 50 "Proud Persians" in the lower box stands, cheering lustily for their dominant team.  During a timeout, we get to talking and Amin was a blast to talk with.  "It doesn't matter if they win or not; if they're champion or not," explains Amin when I ask him about Iran's chances in the tournament.  "They are heroes and we support them with our last breath."  

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The Sweet Escape

     It was a nail-biting finish, a crowd-pleaser I might add, as Smart Gilas Pilipinas defeated ASU Jordan, 76-74.  In a very physical game punctuated by great defense on both sides, Gilas grew up before the eyes of the almost capacity crowd as it used even-keeled play to steel themselves through questionable calls (lots of them) to victory.  With a significant win like this, there are signs to take note of on both sides of the spectrum.


The "Heart" in Sweetheart

1.  You have to give it to the old guy.  Senior statesman Asi Taulava once again provided plenty of energy for the Gilas squad, constantly banging with ASU import Jameel Watkins, inhaling rebounds and defending the paint.  It's almost as if being with the young kids of Gilas has revitalized Asi and it's serving the country well. If anyone doubts his FIlipino side, then you're not watching the game and how Asi plays.  He is as Pinoy as isaw.


2.  Give the newest 34 year old the Medal of "Valorie." Don Don Hontiveros waited until his birthday to unleash his breakout game, knocking in 6 triples and 23 points overall.  More impressive though was the fact that he came back to finish the game after his calf cramped up.  Asking to be subbed after his 5th triple, Hontiveros got his calf massaged, then came back and finished ASU off. I've always known Hontiveros was the best choice for a PBA guard reinforcement and I'm glad Coach Toroman and I were on the same wavelength.

3.  Someone get JV some "JW" Johnny Walker (Blue).  Receiving a tremendous tongue lashing from Coach Toroman for iffy decisions and botched plays, JVee Casio was a picture of a completely downtrodden man, or so I thought.  Casio did what real men do and that is step up to the challenge.  Shrugging off early game blues, Casio had a big second half, including 2 crucial short stabs and two big free throws to keep Jordan at bay.  That's our point guard right there and aren't we glad he's a toughie?

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Rumors, Facts and Humor

     In what was clearly their ugliest game of the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions' Cup, Smart Gilas Pilipinas managed a 74-64 victory over upstart Duhok Iraq.  Former Gilas naturalization candidate C.J. Giles saved his best game for his former mates, producing a 20 point, 23 rebound performance. Gilas, as usual, spread the wealth with Marcus Douthit (14 points, 15 rebounds), Marc Barroca (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Chris Tiu (11 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists).  Meanwhile, let's go showbiz with some "rumors, facts and humor."


Rumors

1.  Forget the salary cap conspiracies.  Joe de Vance has become a regular fixture at the Gilas games, and he tweeted some kind words about the team.  Since he's now Air 21 (or could he be headed to an MVP-owned team?), isn't it a possibility that he be released in time to practice with Gilas if Kelly Williams is unavailable?


2.  Coach Rajko Toroman was as animated as ever, especially with tons of questionable calls throughout the game.  He got into animated conversations with Duhok players Chudnay Gray and Qutaiba Al-Doori as well.  What were they talking about? 

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