Gilas Team

Trivia:

Did you know that the International Federation of  Basketball  (FIBA) World Cup in its entire history of 70 years now only had 14 countries that ever won a medal, be it gold, silver or bronze?

That is a very small list.

USA
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
France
Germany
Greece
Russia
Serbia
Spain
Turkey
USSR
Yugoslavia

AND the Philippines

Who would have thought?  The Philippines won a bronze medal in 1954 by edging out France, 66-60 for the Third Place battle. 

If you look at the list of 14 countries, you will notice the Pinas is the only country that ever won a medal from Asia and the Oceania Region.    No Australia, no China, no Iran, no New Zealand, no South Korea -- which are the  5 major nemesis of Gilas in the said region.

Currently, Gilas is preparing for the Asia Cup in February of 2022. 

Gilas is using mostly amateur players but don't underrate them as some of these young players are good.

To help you up to speed, here are who I think are key players for Gilas:

Point Guards
Ray Parks Jr , 6'4, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE452-rr40w
RJ Abarrientos, 5'11  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rg6g1-uMYw

Shooting Guards
Dwight Ramos, 6'4  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW232GHYX3M
Jordan Heading, 6'2  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ViAPQR361g

Small Forward
Will Navarro, 6'5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Env3Zron26g
Lebron Lopez, 6'6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8rinSbl14g

Power Forward
Justin Baltazar, 6'8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b7wtHwjG_A&t=64s
Carl Tamayo, 6'7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk_F8RYm7R4

Center
Kai Sotto, 7'3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtG1dlI0KnE

Some hard to go looking at a "home team" by (if it isnt changed) the top league teams move around between different cities at their HOME matches!

If looking for schools elsewhere than most crowded cities, they can be easy to find by looking for outdoor basketball courts      by they are often just beside schools. 
E g in a tiny village in Roxas, Palawan, with only dirt road to reach, its even a rather big stand for spectators at the basketball court!

Its some remarkable Filipinos, who are so short so some of the grown ups are at my navel height, have basketball and volleyball as main sports!     when even I am short (180 cm) in "western" messure for playing such.
E g a Filipina i knew is 135cm "tall" and her 4yo daughter with Wiking (Danish) father was 104cm allready 

Haha, all the more it will be impressive if Gilas makes a good run this decade. 

The Gilas team will be at a disadvantage outside of its region.  But that is what excites me as fun in supporting this team.  It is always nice to root for the underdog.  The fact that most of Gilas players are amateurs (average age of 22 last year) makes it even more fun.   

There are tall Filipinos, but few so they have few tall to chose from.   (E g a male cousin to a normal sized Filipina I know a bit, is taller than me. I dont know how come, I havent seen his parents.)
But perhaps they have become "giants" by having Wiking or German fathers as the 4yo?        
(People believed that 4yo girl was 8-9yo by being tall but she acted as the believed age too, perhaps by many treated her as older.)

I didn't know this video exists until now. It's a short and sweet primer on Gilas Team, mentioning the key players.  All players on this video except 1 (Angelo Kouame) were  mentioned in my earlier post.  So that youtube poster knows what he's doing.

Re Angelo Kouame, 6'11 Center, he is what we call an NP (Naturalized Player) which is that 1 player that got to the team via the  country's naturalization process.   Only 1 NP is allowed per national team and for Gilas' last few games, it was Angelo Kouame.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW7Pxx65TkY

OMO, but if Gilas gets another quality local player who can play Center, then listen to this, Gilas can have the luxury of having an NBA player -- either Jordan Clarkson or Jalen Green - in its team as their NP (replacing Kouame).

Can you imagine that?  An NBA caliber player in Clarkson or Green would be a huge boost to the team as they can bring a ton of elite basketball skill with them.  And either of these 2 players also have Pinoy bloods in them so there is that.

Ok this is funny.   FIBA in a tweet showed a Season's Greetings drawing of some of the games best players from around the world.

I could instantly see
Lebron James and Steph Curry of USA
Luka Doncic of Slovakia
Boban Marjanovic of Serbia

The face of the African guy escapes me but when I saw the shirt, I knew it was:
Rui Hachimura of Japan.

Then there is this guy sitting in Pinas jersey.  And I can't figure out from the face who he is.  Some say he is Kai Sotto but he looks more like either Belangel or Navarro to me.   

Anyways, wow, a great privilege for Gilas player whoever he may be to be even put in the same postcard as the other much known and established great NBA players. 

I am pretty sure each player and country are carefully selected for a reason and I hope that reason is that FIBA thinks Gilas Team is on the rise this decade. 

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I messed up the pic so here it is.

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Awesome article that brings you up to speed on who will be the participants to next year's FIBA Asia Cup, which also serves as the qualifying tournament to the 2023  World Cup.   

There are 16 teams in all that qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup and I believe the top 8 would then go on to the World Cup.   Of these 8, I think a maximum of 4 (could be 3) would qualify for the OQT (Olympic Qualifying Tournament) and a maximum of 3 (could be 2) would go on to the Olympics in 2024 to represent Asia and the Oceania region.

https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballw … qualifiers

It's a very tall order to get to the Olympics because there will only be a max of 3 teams or nations.  And you can jot down Australia as 1 of those spots so really there is only max of 2 but possibly only 1 spot in the region up for grab.

Enter Japan.  You can almost also put the other Olympics spot to Japan because now, they have not 1 but 2 NBA players in their roster -- Washington Wizards' Rui Hachimura (the one in the greetings pic above) and Toronto Raptors' Yuta Watanabe.

This is why Gilas is not popular worldwide even though it has been quite competitive in the region.  They have to crack into the top 3 to have a shot to qualify for the Olympics.

Can Gilas do it?

Filipino giants.

Above, I listed the 9 players who I think would be great to be in the Gilas team.  That is a very nice core of players.

Now we need to add 1 more Big.  Below are who I think will be the options for Bigs that Gilas can choose from.

1.  Angelo Kouame, 6'11.   Although  Gilas would list him as 6'10, Ange is 6'11.  He is an Ivory Coast-born player who became naturalized as a Pinoy citizen so he can play for Gilas, and he played in 2021 and did very well. 

Ange is a shoo-in  to take a spot as a Big.   Only 3 scenarios would take the spot away from him:

Scenario A.  Knock on wood, he gets injured
Scenario B.  AJ Edu becomes ready to play
Scenario C.  Jordan Clarkson or Jalen Green takes the spot as "Naturalized Player"

Ange Kouame HIghlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsScCgCVP3M

2.  AJ Edu, 6'10.  He is currently with the Toledo Rockets but recovering from his knee injuries.  If he is able to fully heal in time for practice for the World Cup in 2023, Gilas will have luxury of getting an NBA player as NP instead of Ange since AJ can fill for Ange's spot at Center.

AJ Edu highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoP_6EsEcbM

3. Isaac Go, 6'8.  The smallest on this list, but what Isaac gives up on height, he makes up on smarts and leadership.  The Coach likes him so the chance of him making the Final 12 roster is likely, even if Ange, another big, is in the roster as NP.

Isaac Go Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwoio7RK8R4


4.  Geo Chiu, 6'9.  Nicknamed "The Bulldozer", Geo's chances of making the 12-man roster is slim but he is a solid option nonetheless.  His height, heft  and reach are good assets.   I say if an NBA player is cleared to play for Gilas as NP, then Ange can't play.  And if AJ is still not fully 100% recovered from his injuries, that opens a big spot for Geo to make the roster.   

Geo Chiu Highlights:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5SD18h1UcE&t=100s

Speaking of giants, latest training vid of 6'10 AJ Edu as he comes back from leg injuries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJNWbU1djMk

He is key for Gilas.  A healthy AJ can replace an NP Ange Kouame in the lineup THUS opening up the NP position for an NBA player. 

I hope that happens.  Example of NP that Gilas could get is Fil-Am Jalen Green.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtCvTlk3P1I

Only time will tell, according to Jalen.   I hope that time comes this year. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYK9OQBXZD8

Baby steps on the path to solid recovery for AJ Edu:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJNWbU1djMk

Time to put some Gilas Team players and potential players into the NBA. 

Start it next year with 19-year old Kai Sotto. 

Why I think Kai Sotto can get to NBA? 
- height, 7'3
- under 24 of age (would only be 21 by July 2023 NBA Draft)
- post skill and shooting skill
- blocking skill
- passing skill/IQ
- athletic enough
- played in US
- played internationally (currently with Aussie's NBL)
- good health (no major injury)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC4Fo1n6upw

Gardo Fuentes wrote:

Why I think Kai Sotto can get to NBA? 
- height, 7'3

If so - which position?
He is tall in COMPARING with the others in that video, but in NBA messure they are midgets 

coach53 wrote:

If so - which position?
He is tall in COMPARING with the others in that video, but in NBA messure they are midgets 

7'3 for Center position is tall including NBA.  Most Centers in NBA are just 6'11 to 7 '.   Kai is about the same height as Shaq (7'2 1/2).

For the July 2024 NBA Draft, the Gilas Team player I can think of good enough to get into the NBA is Francis "Lebron" Lopez. 

Why I think Lebron Lopez  can get to NBA?
- height, 6'6
- under 24 of age (would only be 21 by July 2024 NBA Draft)
- drive-to-the-basket and shooting skills (still has 2.5 years to improve prior to Draft day)
- defensive skill
- freakish athleticism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBFwT6czPk
- among only 27 players selected to play this year in US professional league Overtime Elite
- exposed to international competition via FIBA senior's team (youngest player for Gilas)
- good health (no major injury)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lrRZ8q3jkA

Aside from Lebron Lopez, another young gun to watch for is Seven Gagate. 

Seven is  6'8, 18 years young, who is in the Gilas Juniors Team playing center.  When he moves to the seniors rank, if he stays at 6'8, he will be converted into a Power Forward.  However, if he grows taller, he may get to keep his Center position. 

Pandemic is not stopping Seven from improving his skills.  With proper international exposure, many things can happen in the next 2.5 years and he may have a shot in the NBA.   He has the height for one thing and he is athletic enough with no major injury.   HIs body frame is also good -- not skinny.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoVMSgWcLfQ

Gardo Fuentes wrote:

7'3 for Center position is tall including NBA.  Most Centers in NBA are just 6'11 to 7 '.   Kai is about the same height as Shaq (7'2 1/2).

Sorry. I mixed up how many feet is normal, throught a foot less.  Why using foot and inches instead of metric system 2022 still???   

coach53 wrote:

Sorry. I mixed up how many feet is normal, throught a foot less.  Why using foot and inches instead of metric system 2022 still???   

Hahaha.   That's why I like sharing videos because eye test is the best.  It clarifies any vagueness in written text.   

Here is 7'3 Kai Sotto of Gilas vs  7'5   Boban Marjanovic of Serbia in June of  last year for the OQT (Olympic Qualifying Tournament).   Boban currently plays in the NBA for Dallas Mavericks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WowjcOxL5mc

Boban is known for reaching the rims without jumping.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSSCaOZtoFA

Gardo Fuentes wrote:

Hahaha.   That's why I like sharing videos because eye test is the best.  It clarifies any vagueness in written text.   

...
Boban is known for reaching the rims without jumping.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSSCaOZtoFA

Some hard to see anyway by not knowing any other height   

((Back when I played basketball in highschool, I were terrible at jumping, but in one game the opponents had a very tall star, who none in my team could compeete jumping aganist.  When he STOOD and hold up his arms I didnt even jump high enough to hit away the ball... But I could solve it anyway by the refereese where terrible, they didnt notice every time that tall guy tried to jump I put my fot at his fot and jumped, so he helped me jump and he got recoil so he got LOWER than if he hadnt tried to jump at all      so HE made so I reached high enough to "eraze" him. =He made only 2 points total while I made a bunch at 3 point shots.))

coach53 wrote:

((Back when I played basketball in highschool, I were terrible at jumping, but in one game the opponents had a very tall star, who none in my team could compeete jumping aganist.  When he STOOD and hold up his arms I didnt even jump high enough to hit away the ball... But I could solve it anyway by the refereese where terrible, they didnt notice every time that tall guy tried to jump I put my fot at his fot and jumped, so he helped me jump and he got recoil so he got LOWER than if he hadnt tried to jump at all      so HE made so I reached high enough to "eraze" him. =He made only 2 points total while I made a bunch at 3 point shots.))

Funny stuff!   

Get your calendars marked on upcoming FIBA Asia Cup games next month.   

Gilas games highlighted.

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Haha I forgot to highlight the game vs Indonesia (Feb 25).  I guess my brain just put it as an automatic win for Gilas.   

But for the other 2 teams Gilas is going up against -- South Korea and New Zealand -- these games will be hella fun.  These are flip of the coin games.  That's how evenly matched these 3 teams are.

Relive last game between Gilas and NZ in 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljX0FsNbbUg

Relive last game between Gilas and SOKOR in 2021 Asia Cup Qualifying Tournament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJXkHiNwWjg&t=95s

Gilas sharpshooter Jordan Heading should be in the NBA. 

He is tearing it up in Taiwan T1 League.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VcVDhqUcyg

Let's talk about the July 2025 NBA Draft, the Gilas Team player I can think of good enough to get into the NBA is Caelum Harris.

Caelum is not yet officially with Gilas.  He is just 16 years of age, and though qualified to play for the FIBA U18 tournament, there is no official invitation and acceptance yet to him joining.    But I think it's just a matter of time.

Why I think Caelum Harris   can get to NBA?
- height, 6'6 (could be 6'7 now)
- under 24 of age (would only be 20 by July 2025 NBA Draft)
- drive-to-the-basket and post skills (still has 3.5 years to improve prior to Draft day)
- defensive skill
- rebounding skill
- ranked 29th in US Class of 2024
- a potential 5-star recruit in colleges
- good health (no major injury)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWxpPNz1SeY&t=101s

This is far from today but why not.

Let's talk about the July 2026 NBA Draft, the Gilas Team player I can think of good enough to get into the NBA is Femi Edu.

Femi is not yet officially with Gilas.  He is just 15 years of age, and though qualified to play for the FIBA U18 tournament, there is no official invitation and acceptance yet to him joining.    But I think it's just a matter of time.

Why I think Femi Edu   can get to NBA?
- height, 6'4 (could be 6'5 now; projected to be 6'6)
- under 24 of age (would only be 20 by July 2026 NBA Draft)
- drive-to-the-basket and post skills (still has 4.5 years to improve prior to Draft day)
- defensive skill
- rebounding skill
- MVP in National tournament in UK
- a potential 5-star recruit in colleges
- good health (no major injury)


Recent game Nov 2021:  41 pts!   6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBVAzJKnGJg

The much awaited battle between Bronny James of powerhouse team Sierra Canyon vs freshman phenom JJ Mandaquit of 'lolani is done.

James (a high school junior and son of Lebron James) scored 4 points while  freshman  Mandaquit  scored 18 points. 

The game highlights:  Bronny wearing 0 in black while Mandaquit wearing 23 in white
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGC47e4XCg0&t=712s

Mandaquit, 6'1, 14 years old, is a potential Gilas player in the future.

Gilas has its own Steph Curry -- Jordan Heading. 

Outside shooting is very important in basketball competition and it is nice that Gilas will have the best shooter other than named Steph Curry of the USA team.

Jordan Heading latest game highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-GILG9Y8LY

Equally important as outside shooting is inside presence. 

Kai "The Sky" Sotto is Gilas main Center and rim protector and he is busy banging bodies with the big men in Australia's NBL. 

Kai's latest game highlights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSjdHRjV0LQ

Don't read much into it but it is just nice to see a Gilas player on the banner of a  FIBA news article of 10 players to watch in 2022.    https://www.fiba.basketball/news/10-wun … ch-in-2022


Lebron dunking like Lebron:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNocM0KT9x4

Kai Sotto's revenge game last night vs Australia's top team Melbourne United.

The highlights of the game for Gilas' teenager Center. 
[link moderated]

It's a SAD and BAD day for Gilas.   Coach Tab Baldwin resigned.   

After the bad news, something good.

Could it be AJ Edu is fully recovered and healthy again?  Feb 13 is his penciled return to NCAA games. 

Let's wish him well.

https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/aj-e … ear/231213

Now back to bad news. 

Lebron Lopez suing United States.  Watch out Biden.  https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/lebr … isa/230919

In the article above, it said:
"
The complaint also showed that Lopez applied for an “extraordinary ability visa” but was rejected a month later with the USCIS saying that Lopez's current accolades are not passable to be an “extraordinary talent.”
"

Not passable to be an "extraordinary talent"?

How about we ask all NBA Players to jump over a car and see who has "extraordinary talent".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBFwT6czPk

Battle of the Giants in Australia tomorrow --

7'5 Chuanxing Liu of China vs 7'2 Kai Sotto of Gilas.

Preview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QwXx0PB1t4

Kai had the better game but Chuanxing's team prevailed.

I feel like the coach of Kai should have left him longer instead of pulling him from the game with about 7 minutes left, or at least give him just a minute's rest and put him back.  Kai's team was ahead by 10 points when he left and they went on to lose by 4 points with him on the bench.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM2A_msBQtg

Calendar of Gilas Games this year.   

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