Assessment of Team Philippines by foreign coaches

[vladski]

Here is one of the most intererseting and the most promising assessment of a well rspected National Coach of the Australian National Team, Brian Goorjian. Hope my countrymen will feel better about his assessment on our team.



There was one thing Australian coach Brian Goorjian was so sure of about the training pool his Sydney Kings faced in two different installments recently. If they had played as one team, there was no way the Aussies would have scored a sweep.
“At the least, I would have hoped for a sweep,” said Goorjian.

This was no ordinary tourist speaking in such a way as to please his host. This was Australia’s national basketball coach—the mentor who handled the team from Down Under during the Athens Olympics.

So when it comes to basketball, trust him when he says that at the very least, Chot Reyes’s national pool was moving in the right direction.

Philippines lack is size. Internationally, I was with Japan and you look at China and you look at Korea—they’re putting two or three seven-footers— (China’s) Yao Ming, (and Mengke) Bateer,” said Goorjian. “The style [Chot Reyes] is trying to develop with the running of the ball and the cutting and the ball movement—if you have somebody like a Yao Ming chasing you around, the Philippines is playing to its advantage,” he added. “I think the coach is doing a good job of developing a style that will make your country competitive as a small team because you have quickness and the players can shoot the ball.”

The Sydney Kings got a close up view of what the Philippines can do.

In their first game against the national pool, the Kings found the Filipinos’ defense seemingly impenetrable.

“We just couldn’t score. I think that game, we were susceptible to getting beat,” said Goorjian of the San Mig Café-RP Team A, whom the Aussies still defeated, 63-59.

A day after, RP Team B-Supremo Cane Vinegar showed the visitors the country’s scoring prowess in a 104-91 defeat to the Kings. Team B simply lacked the defense to stop the well-rested Aussies, who made 50% of their shots to offset the more-than-decent 46% clip of the locals. In fact, so good were the Aussies in the second match that by the end of the first half, they had already matched their total output in the first game.

“That team (B) had no trouble getting by us and creating shots. We just felt better after getting rest that’s why we shot the ball better than the first game,” Goorjian explained.

Even the Kings’ players were impressed.

“They’re great athletes, really talented players,” said former junior national team mainstay David Barlow. “Especially that guy, No. 47 (Mark Caguioa), he’s tough to guard.”

So impressed was Goorjian that he hoped this wouldn’t be the last time the Kings made a trip to the country to play in an exhibition match and help the national program. “This is fantastic for us because it’s a learning experience. I hope we can come here and start a rivalry with the Sydney Kings and the Philippines. This showed it’s good for both teams and it’s good for the Philippines.

“We could help the national program and learn some things too.”

Goorjian also admitted that if the Kings came back and faced the national team itself, and not just a deep pool halved into two groups, the Aussies would have their hands full.

“We have to come ready to play. If they put their 10 best players on the floor, we’re going to be in for a real battle,” he admitted.

And naturally, coach Chot Reyes was glowing after hearing what his Australian counterpart said.

“That’s nice to hear coming from him because he knows what he’s talking about,” said Reyes.

The fiery mentor, who looked very pleased in the sidelines even when defeat was impending, said the national pool learned a lot from the two games.

“I cannot even start to name all the positives that we got. We learned to play together, we found out the things we could do and overall, it was a really important experience for us,” he explained.

“The only downside I really can think of is the injuries,” he added.

Kerby Raymundo hurt his heel in the first game while Brandon Lee Cablay broke a bone in his left hand in the second game.

And as much as the injuries saddened Reyes, he said it was part of the game.

“That’s part of the job. That’s the risk we have to take,” he said.

And with that, Reyes can only hope for more quality international-type matches coming the way of the Philippine pool as it prepares to fight for the ultimate goal—a slot in the Beijing Olympics. (MO)

[vladski]

Please not that the above-mentioned games played by Ausies and Fils were 2 years ago... when Rp team just gathering its hopefuls to form a national team. There were Team A and B which were Professional cagers from PBA and were all vying for slots for the National pool.

If then, we were able to give a good match with the Ausie national team ... which i guess coach Chot and the guys really came out to play and win each game... just imagine what this National Team can do today when they see face to face again in a couple of weeks in manila with the Ausie Team?

I have seen the 2 games against Australia and Philippines then. So I am really excited once again to see them play each other in manila... too bad i am not in philippines now or when that time comes to watch it live... hehehe... hope ABC 5 will air the games here in Dubai.

[vladski]

Another good assessment of the RP Team from 2 Coaches of two rival teams in Jones Cup:


Joseph Anthony Steibing, the American coach who now handles the Qatar national team, and Jerry Layton of Passing Lane Sports-USA have suddenly become instant admirers of Philippine basketball.



"I've heard a lot of good things about Philippine basketball but I never thought they're that good. I'm surprised they're playin at a highly-competitive level," said Steibing, who's been handling the Qataris for three straight years now.



For his part, Layton, who has watched Reyes and his troopers play all the way from Las Vegas, has seen some interesting things being ran by the RP-SMB team and has liked what he’s seen.



"It's unusual that the RP team is running things out of the ordinary like using two point guards at the same time and letting one of its post players take the three point shots," said Leyton. "You've been running those plays to perfection. I don't know how did you manage to do that, but it's really effective for you running those stuff.”



But Steibing was surprised and shocked when he learned the Philippines has been suspended by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and may not be able to compete in the Asian Basketball Men's Championship in Doha, Qatar.



"Why is the Philippines suspended?" said Steibing, the former assistant coach of University of New Orleans, the school where Andy Seigle of Barangay Ginebra and former PBA import Kwan Johnson came from. "The Philippines, if it will send highly-caliber players such as this one playing in the Jones Cup, has a big chance to win the gold in the ABC," said Steibing.



"Of course, China and Korea may be placed as the two strong teams in Asia right now, but the Philippines should b placed also among the contenders which include Lebanon, Iran, Japan and our team," he added.



While Steibing may not be familiar with the ongoing politics among Philippine basketball leaders, he has one unsolicited advice for them.



"It's natonal pride at stake. Why don’t they stop bickering now and serve the best interest of Philippine basketball. These players are making sacrifices. It will be frustrating if they will not play in the ABC or several major Asian tournaments," said Steibing.


As host country this year, Steibing likes his chances in the ABC since he believes he believes has now has firepower which his team lacked in the previous Asian tournaments.



But he also believes the Philippines also have formidable players that can go at par with the Asia's best.



"You have good guards, especially (Willie) Miller, who's an athletic and great player. You also have a dominant big man in (Asi) Taulava and have a bunch of role players, not to mention that you are also well-coached," he also said.

[vladski]

Let's read what National Coach from Iran say about the Philippine National Team, whose team visited Manila to play a couple of games against our yet to finalize RP squad.

>>>>
The Iranian national team head coach will go back to Tehran with a high regard for Filipino basketeers.
Vladimir Bosnjak, the same mentor that beat Asia powerhouse China in 2004 Asian Under-20 Championship last October, had only good words for the two RP San Mig Coffee teams that they played in the recent PBA Invitational Challenge. He was impressed with the athleticism and shooting skills of the Filipino dribblers.

"Very ambitious like the NBA players. You can jump and play very aggressive," said Bosnjak as his squad absorbed back-to-back defeats at the hands of the RP cagers of coach Chot Reyes.

"Your team has very talented players. You have excellent three-point shooters and the players are really competitive," he added.

Bosnjak specifically mentioned 6-8 Yancy de Ocampo, a post player that can also hit from the rainbow territory.

But what impressed him most was the passion that the Filipino basketball players played the sport.

"It's really a great opportunity for us to play against you. In Iran, that's also what we do. Play against other countries to improve our team," Bosnjak noted.

"I hope we can come back again and play this time with our complete team," added Bosnjak.

[Saskibaloia]

If then, we were able to give a good match with the Ausie national team ... which i guess coach Chot and the guys really came out to play and win each game... just imagine what this National Team can do today when they see face to face again in a couple of weeks in manila with the Ausie Team?

.

Note that the Aussie team was a club team (Sydney Kings) and not the National Team of Australia

[vladski]

Bob Donewald, head coach BDA Sports after playing against Team Pilipinas in Global Hoops Summit:

"One thing for sure, the Philippines is extremely well-coached," said Donewald. "They ran some plays that frustrated the heck out of us. I thought the Filipinos got tired in the end and lost their legs. Remember, we've got solid athletes in our team. What the Philippines could use is a big center to compensate for lack of size. No doubt, the team is competitive right now. With some size, it'll be a contender in international competitions."

[vladski]

Note that the Aussie team was a club team (Sydney Kings) and not the National Team of Australia

Well taken.

Thank you for calling my attention.

But the Couach for its National Team, i believe is this same guy, right?

[j_diddy]

these moments have passed already. let us move on.