SBP Long-Term National Pool (Vol. XIX)

[Silent Killer]

Both Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter really wants to still play in the National Team but as Coach Chot said, they were not allowed by the SMC management.

There were talks that Chris Tiu is not keen playing under Coach Chot and that Coach Chot is also not that fond of him as he said in a past interview that Chris Tiu does not have a reserved spot in Gilas 2.0.

hmmm what now the plans of kap Chris tiu?

[nardy]

Here are Coach Chot's thoughts before the non-commital of the SMC players:

New Smart Gilas team will take a familiar, beaten path under Chot Reyes
By Celest R. Flores
INQUIRER.net
7:53 pm | Friday, March 30th, 2012

MANILA, Philippines – The Smart Gilas road map for the country’s return to basketball prominence in the international stage has been fed to the shredder. Take the best amateurs in the country if you want. Train them together as a team for as long as you want. In the end, the experiment will leave you with the bitter reality.

Coach Chot Reyes knows it. And so he’s taking the country’s national basketball program on a familiar route.

Like it or not, the country’s finest players are all in the PBA.

“Our learning before was no matter how well you train young guys, in the end we still had to get PBA players,” said national coach Chot Reyes. “When guys like Jvee Casio, Mark Barocca and others got to the Asian competition, they were 22 years old and they were battling 28-year-olds.”

“They really had no chance.”

Reyes wants the rebooted Smart Gilas team to have a better shot at being releveant again internationally. With the backing of the PBA, Reyes named 16 pros to the national pool.

Throw in Marcus Douthit – or JaVale McGee, if he gets naturalized and if his viral video of bonehead plays haven’t dissuaded the coaching staff yet – and you have the group from which the team that will shoot for a slot in the World Championship will come from.

In a sense, Reyes’ task is a tad easier than that of Rajko Toroman, who handled the Olympics-hoping Ver. 1 of the Smart Gilas program, an all-amateur squad that, when the stakes were raised, eventually knocked on the PBA doors anyway.

Still, Reyes isn’t taking chances. Every name listed in the pool fitted into a description of the type of players the mercurial outgoing Talk ‘N Text mentor wants.

“We wanted best players who we felt could play well together and who could play my system,” said Reyes, who was given the task to shepherd the national team anew.

And the way things are shaping up, not only could there be no amateur in the roster, but members of the original Smart Gilas squad are unlikely to make it to 2.0.

“Talagang hindi kaya [with the old Gilas line-up]. That’s why the next best thing is to get the best players in the country,” Reyes told INQUIRER.net.

Easily, the 16-man roster named by Reyes has had a prominent casualty: JVee Casio, whose draft stock rose immensely as the star quarterback of the original Smart Gilas team, wasn’t named to the pool. Only his Powerade teammate, Marcio Lassiter, was recalled to the pool.

Hoping to take Casio’s place as the starting pointguard of the new Philippine team are Talk ‘N Text teammates Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro, Alaska engine LA Tenorio and Petron playmaker Alex Cabagnot.

“It’s hard not to take the current PBA MVP. The point guards [we chose] are the ones who are performing the best,” said Reyes of his choices, which raised several howls because of Casio’s absence.

“Who will you take out? It’s tough,” Reyes said.

But he’ll live and die with it as he draws up a new blueprint featuring the country’s top pros.

Joining Lassiter at the wings is Gary David, the Powerade gunner who is currently shooting the lights out in the ongoing PBA season. Lassiter merited another chance to make the national team because of his ability to deliver on both ends of the floor.

“We like his combination of offense and his ability to shut down players. He’s a great defender,” Reyes said of Lassiter.

David was a no-brainer choice, given that “he is the best scorer in the league, how can we not get him.”

The men’s national team will also have familiar names – some have already suited up under Reyes in the past – like James Yap, Ranidel De Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Gabe Norwood, and Arwind Santos.

Reyes shrugged at the the deathless issue on lack of height of the line-up and faced the concern with a dose of reality – Filipinos will never be tall enough like the other competing nations.

“I know a lot of people are saying we lack height, but no matter who we put, we still won’t have enough height for the Asian teams,” said Reyes.

“We have very few 6-8 and above guys, and even if we do, it’s still going to be small.”

“My thinking was just to get the best talent, and speed, and athletic ability. We wanted height, but the main criteria was athletic ability,” said Reyes.

Talk N’ Text players Ryan Reyes and Larry Fonacier were also included in the pool, along with Marc Pingris of B-Meg, Enrico Villanueva of Barangay Ginebra and Sonny Thoss of Alaska.

“Thoss is the only center we have in the PBA who is not over 35 years old, same thing with Enrico. Look, we needed an extra center – Dorian Pena, Mick Pennisi, Asi Taulava, and Ali Peek, they’re all too old,” said Reyes.

“Enrico is the best potential at that spot and we needed bruiser – we were picking for specific needs. We’re not drafting Enrico to play a lot of minutes but for specific situations. We need a bruiser,” Reyes added.

The issue of time management, with their commitments to their mother teams in the PBA, would always be a pressing concern, but Reyes is leaving it up the Commissioner’s office to sort it out.

Reyes is hoping to start training on April 14. But before any scrimmages take place, they still need a signed commitment letter from the players who were invited to join the pool.

“If they sign it, it will formalize their entry to the pool,” said Reyes, who doesn’t see anyone turning down the opportunity to join the pool.

“Realistically no, hopefully no. I’m still a firm believer that it’s every player’s dream to be able to represent the country at any level,” Reyes said.

Since things happen ..... workarounds and adjustments needs to be done. Anyway 2013 is still months away.

[pacifier]

Both Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter really wants to still play in the National Team but as Coach Chot said, they were not allowed by the SMC management.

There were talks that Chris Tiu is not keen playing under Coach Chot and that Coach Chot is also not that fond of him as he said in a past interview that Chris Tiu does not have a reserved spot in Gilas 2.0.

What if the smc group is being pushed publicly to the point that it will be a bad image for them not letting go of the players?
Like randomly asking the players during a game on live tv broadcast if they want to play for national team. Its just that in my perspective smc
is starting to look like a greedy company which only protects its own assets rather than looking for the greater good. They are becoming the epitome of crab mentality.

[TWiTCH]

Is SBP particularly MVP willing to share the spotlight with San Miguel? In order for SMC to at least consider lending their players they should somehow "GAIN" benefit from it. They also want the promotion and recognition in case Gilas 2 will succeed. They won't hand out their players for nothing. Again, is MVP willing to share everything with SMC? that is the biggest question in order to some how bridge the gap between the two empires.

[weward]

Is SBP particularly MVP willing to share the spotlight with San Miguel? In order for SMC to at least consider lending their players they should somehow "GAIN" benefit from it. They also want the promotion and recognition in case Gilas 2 will succeed. They won't hand out their players for nothing. Again, is MVP willing to share everything with SMC? that is the biggest question in order to some how bridge the gap between the two empires.

I have questioned the same. Is SBP,under MVP, offering an insurance to the players in national team? i thought maybe that is what SMC is waiting for. but then i realized,
SMC wont work with MVP. and vice versa.
Since MVP group is in control of SBP, they should do the move. Approach SMC - but that is not possible especially with their wide-scaled war.
And even if MVP group throws down their pagkatao for the sake of RP team, no one knows what the response of SMC group would be.

But these two group battling over controlling the Philippine economy wouldn't drop their pride over a basketball team even if its the national team.
It is way beyond just basketball. We're talking about their careers as businessmen, money,status,fame and power. That's the real world. They dwell in the real world and not just ordinary dwellers they are the top 2 of their world. Basketball is not really their business but its tied to their name. That's real world right there. We ordinary citizens are always questioning why this and that. We thought its easy to fix but there are more things in the background that we cant really see and that tehy can only see. And they dont blink!

Btw, Smart-San Miguel Gilas Pilipinas is still one sided. "Gilas" is, if im not wrong, a computer literacy program by smart. So There should be a similar thing for SMC. It should be called Smart-San Miguel Ginuman Gilas Pilipinas! haha

[pacifier]

Is SBP particularly MVP willing to share the spotlight with San Miguel? In order for SMC to at least consider lending their players they should somehow "GAIN" benefit from it. They also want the promotion and recognition in case Gilas 2 will succeed. They won't hand out their players for nothing. Again, is MVP willing to share everything with SMC? that is the biggest question in order to some how bridge the gap between the two empires.

MVP vs SMC is like Pacquiao vs Mayweather, unless somebody mediates nothing will happen.

[killmebusy]

shuhukos got a point somehow it's just that he's on a thread with a lot of die hard PBA fans.

coming from a die hard gilas fan? nobody is preaching pba anymore...shuhuko is blatantly putting down our new national team BEFORE they even play a single game...heck they haven't even announced the roster...no benefit of the doubt? no ray of light? being ideal is great...and he is expressing his ideals...but it is another to be real, which he isn't and doesn't get. he just doesn't realize that this isn't a perfect world and we have to live with and be content with what we have.

[reamily]

hmmm what now the plans of kap Chris tiu?

His showbiz/mainstream career is flourishing, while the thing he do best (oh you can say Chris does other things good but) basketball the opposite.

He should have been the face of the Powerade cinderella run together with Gary D

[jawo]

Chris Tiu is preoccupied with his shows in GMA7 and TV5 then he has numerous commercial ads on TV and Print. He also has duties in their Family's Group of Companies. On the side he has charity and NGO work.

I do not know the main point of Nardy here but in years I have followed our national teams, Chris Tiu is one of those national team member who is passionate and dying to play for flag and country. Tiu's heart can do a lot and no matter if some quarters say he is comparatively small at the 2 spot or less of a classy dribbler at the point, his basketball IQ and other intangible qualities are simply complimentary to his overall skills.

Tiu's qualities are a dream for any coach in international competition. i remember he was just as busy when he was doning the national colors yet he made basketball his priority.

I am not like kiddy-like fighting for a player to make it in the national team because I root for him or idolize him, there is a fine line between admiring a player that is why you push for him and understanding a player's abilities that is why you push for him. Selecting players for the national team must be objective all the time.

I wish we have a tall version of Chris Tiu with all those qualities in it. But just to clear, it is okay for me if Tiu would not be selected because we need size, but if that size does not have the heart to play the game, then Chot should re-think why Tiu has to be enlisted.

The Philippine national team in 1973 got more heart and passion than talent when we bagged the ABC crown that year, the main attribute of the NCC team in the 80's was dedication, passion and love to win for flag and country...mere talent would not have done it for NCC if not from those mentioned intangibles.

Players nowadays would always say they want to play for the national team, but I just doubt how enduring they gonna be when they will be pushed hard by Chot to give their best. Chot's team in 2007 failed because some players failed to check their heart if indeed they were mentally ready to defend Philippine pride.

[nardy]

What if the smc group is being pushed publicly to the point that it will be a bad image for them not letting go of the players?
Like randomly asking the players during a game on live tv broadcast if they want to play for national team. Its just that in my perspective smc
is starting to look like a greedy company which only protects its own assets rather than looking for the greater good. They are becoming the epitome of crab mentality.

this reminds me of the call made by Cory and her supporters for the boycott of SMC Products before the EDSA Revolution but even how popular she was, it did not give a material dent on the financial position of Danding Cojuangco's companies at that time.

Such tactics would not sway the diehard San Miguel Beer drunks from switching brands or would not stop the Moms from buying Purefoods Hotdogs for their kids.

[nardy]

Is SBP particularly MVP willing to share the spotlight with San Miguel? In order for SMC to at least consider lending their players they should somehow "GAIN" benefit from it. They also want the promotion and recognition in case Gilas 2 will succeed. They won't hand out their players for nothing. Again, is MVP willing to share everything with SMC? that is the biggest question in order to some how bridge the gap between the two empires.

its not about sharing the spotlight ..... This competion of theirs is actually not really about basketball, my boys its all about economic power. Even the big taipans are giving-way to the 2 groups and are now taking sides instead of fighting them. Each group is trying to outdo each other ..... eating-up the smaller companies in order to monopolize.

then you add a not that forgiving former employee of one group who was forced-out of his position and is now one of the most trusted advisers of the Chief Executive of the other group.

There are actually a lot of twists and turns with regards to this muddy situation.

This could have been avoided if the Federation could financially support itself with the help of the Government and of different Private Companies like in other countries. But by having one company or one conglomorate to be fully in charge, then this things is ripe to happen.

Its about the Rich getting Richer ..... the bigger the better. Each Group would not only try to outdo the other group but if possible get rid of it.

[zuma169]

what SMC is doing is unforgivable for me in any way and every aspect.. i will not even bring up the patriotic and nationalistic sense of it..

what i will bring up is fairness (and i understand fairness is NOT IN A BUSINESSMAN'S VOCABULARY)... all teams in the PBA freely allowed their players to play for the national team and SMC will not??? that sounds baloney to me.. it is a clear selfish act from them.. i know we are in free democratic world but comes with it is moral and ethical responsibility and SMC DOESN'T HAVE IT...

but then again we "have to respect their business decision" and just accept it.. sayang lang.. i really feel marcio lassiter and alex cabagnot and james yap could make a difference though some of the current pool member may fill the void.. i really don't care about marc pingris and arwind santos..

[nardy]

MVP vs SMC is like Pacquiao vs Mayweather, unless somebody mediates nothing will happen.

I would like to picture it in a situation wherein you are asking Noynoy Aquino and Bongbong Marcos to be in one Presidential Slate with neither one willing to giveway on who should be the standard bearer.

[nardy]

I do not know the main point of Nardy here but in years I have followed our national teams, Chris Tiu is one of those national team member who is passionate and dying to play for flag and country. Tiu's heart can do a lot and no matter if some quarters say he is comparatively small at the 2 spot or less of a classy dribbler at the point, his basketball IQ and other intangible qualities are simply complimentary to his overall skills.

Tiu's qualities are a dream for any coach in international competition. i remember he was just as busy when he was doning the national colors yet he made basketball his priority.

I am not like kiddy-like fighting for a player to make it in the national team because I root for him or idolize him, there is a fine line between admiring a player that is why you push for him and understanding a player's abilities that is why you push for him. Selecting players for the national team must be objective all the time.

I wish we have a tall version of Chris Tiu with all those qualities in it. But just to clear, it is okay for me if Tiu would not be selected because we need size, but if that size does not have the heart to play the game, then Chot should re-think why Tiu has to be enlisted.

The Philippine national team in 1973 got more heart and passion than talent when we bagged the ABC crown that year, the main attribute of the NCC team in the 80's was dedication, passion and love to win for flag and country...mere talent would not have done it for NCC if not from those mentioned intangibles.

Players nowadays would always say they want to play for the national team, but I just doubt how enduring they gonna be when they will be pushed hard by Chot to give their best. Chot's team in 2007 failed because some players failed to check their heart if indeed they were mentally ready to defend Philippine pride.

what I am trying to point is that not because a player had the passion and is actually a quality player automatically gets him a slot in the team. In the real world a relationship between player and coach do affect his chances in getting into a team.

A lot of people are not really that aware on the real score why Dondon Hontiveros suddenly left Gilas, Dondon was really passionate playing for the country, he loved playing with the guys and vice-versa but the relationship between him and Rajko soured in the Jones Cup. In order not to be a distraction to the team, he sacrificed his spot.

Yup I join you that selection should be objective but things happen in this world. This reminded me of the time I got to know that Dudut Jaworski earns more than Bal David during their time at Ginebra, is that fair but did it ever got corrected. As I said all the time its just unfortunate that what should be ideal is not what is actually happening. I do not like what's happening and I do not condone it but I am a realist and I just want to enlighten a lot of you guys what is really happening behind the scenes. A lot of people here just thinks its only that simple but actually its not.

[zihc]

[killmebusy]

what SMC is doing is unforgivable for me in any way and every aspect.. i will not even bring up the patriotic and nationalistic sense of it..

what i will bring up is fairness (and i understand fairness is NOT IN A BUSINESSMAN'S VOCABULARY)... all teams in the PBA freely allowed their players to play for the national team and SMC will not??? that sounds baloney to me.. it is a clear selfish act from them.. i know we are in free democratic world but comes with it is moral and ethical responsibility and SMC DOESN'T HAVE IT...

but then again we "have to respect their business decision" and just accept it.. sayang lang.. i really feel marcio lassiter and alex cabagnot and james yap could make a difference though some of the current pool member may fill the void.. i really don't care about marc pingris and arwind santos..

it looks like SMC is creating - or trying to create - their own national team...look at the pieces they have in place...i hate the thought though of having 2 national teams instead of having one which is comprised of the best of the best but again, this is what we have to live with.

[nardy]

it looks like SMC is creating - or trying to create - their own national team...look at the pieces they have in place...i hate the thought though of having 2 national teams instead of having one which is comprised of the best of the best but again, this is what we have to live with.

We know the IOC frowns on government intervention but the person who could fix this is the President, Noynoy Aquino. He has the moral authority to call both RSA and MVP on his side and tell them to fix their act for the good of the country. But unfortunately PNoy does not care so much about basketball and actually sports is the least of his priorities.

[killmebusy]

We know the IOC frowns on government intervention but the person who could fix this is the President, Noynoy Aquino. He has the moral authority to call both RSA and MVP on his side and tell them to fix their act for the good of the country. But unfortunately PNoy does not care so much about basketball and actually sports is the least of his priorities.

as it should...his priorities should rightfully be on more serious concerns. it doesn't mean though that no one in the government should...if a bill was passed for javale mcgee's naturalization then the government can still do something about it. vp binay maybe...or (if there still is such a thing) the DECS secretary.

[zuma169]

We know the IOC frowns on government intervention but the person who could fix this is the President, Noynoy Aquino. He has the moral authority to call both RSA and MVP on his side and tell them to fix their act for the good of the country. But unfortunately PNoy does not care so much about basketball and actually sports is the least of his priorities.

it would take a law passed in congress for them to combine forces.. no matter what mediation is done, they will not meet.. and that is a sad fact.. only public pressure will change Ramon Ang's and Noli Eala's mind and direction (which we know will not happen)..

i am saying THIS IS WORST THAN THE NBA... because all the National Federation has to do is to pay insurance and they are free to do whatever they want with their compatriot player.. in our case, no matter what we do, and no matter what can be done, THEY WILL NOT MEET... very unfortunate... nakakahiya para sa bayan and i blame SMC for this.. because there is nothing wrong with what MVP is doing.. almost all national teams are supported by private companies.. that's why their uniforms have a lot of patches of the backer..

SMC IS BAD!!!!

[reamily]

Again to be fair to SMC there are no concrete statements or evidence that they boycott(okay we knew the obvious) the national team as our fave big man Enrico is the first one to sign the waiver