It was around Saturday afternoon when I heard reports of Jared Dillinger being involved in some car accident. I was sad to hear of the incident. Not because I knew that losing Jared would mean that the Tropang Texters would have to dig even deeper into their line up to find a way to beat the resurgent Barangay. In fact, I'm not even a fan of the Tropang Texters (I'm for Alaska and Petron hehe).
I was sad, of course because a fellow human being got into a sudden accident. An accident that could have been avoided. But other than that, I was sad because that meant a blow to the hopes of Gilas Pilipinas to go to the FIBA World Championships in Spain this 2014.
Now you may be wondering, how is this a blow? Jared isn't exactly an offensive demon like Gary David, a clutch play maker like LA Tenorio, or a reliable big man like Marcus Douthit or Junemar Fajardo. But he does bring three things to the table for Gilas, and those are hustle, versatility, and most importantly, heart.
Jared is a 6 foot 5 wing man who can defend multiple positions. He can defend the 1, 2, 3, 4 and even the 5 position at times. Gilas would've needed his height and heft to defend the stronger and taller swing men of the different participating countries in the FIBA Asia Championships this coming August. Some of those swing men are Samad Nikkhah Bahrami of Iran, and the basketball legend of Lebanon that is Fadi El - Khatib (heck, even Michael Jordan thinks Fadi should have been in the NBA).
Not only is he tall, but he also has a strong upper body for a guard. This could have helped not only the defense of Gilas, but also it's offense. Jared's presence could have given Gilas more options on offense, since he can actually play the 3, 2 and maybe even the 1 at times. Despite his inconsistent three point shot, he can be an effective slasher.
And, probably the most important thing that he brings to the table is his hustle. He dives for the ball even if he knows he will get hurt for it. He brings so much energy to the Tropang Texters and to the National Team because of his nose for the ball. That's why he's nicknamed the Daredevil.
So overall, Gilas just lost a slasher, an effective defender for the different swing men of the competing teams for the FIBA Asia Championships this August, and a guy who lives and dies for the ball.
Of course, when the reports of Dillinger's accident came out, there came the idea of a replacement not only for Dillinger, but also for Kelly Williams, who was sidelined because of a recurring illness. The usual suspects surfaced as replacements. Arwind Santos, James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Marcio Lassiter and even Calvin Abueva. Even amateur players such as Bobby Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena entered the conversation concerning replacements.
But sadly, Coach Chot has said so himself that they will not be getting any replacements. Personally, I am 50 - 50 with this issue.
I wanted replacements, because Jared and Kelly were (in my opinion, and as far as I know the opinion of other fans as well), pretty much shoo - ins for the 12 man team for the FIBA Asia Championships because of their experience with international play, and their familiarity with the dribble drive offense that Coach Chot Reyes implements. In short, those two players were vital cogs for the attempt of the Gilas program to go to Spain for the World Championships. So with their loss, that limits the number of guys that Coach Chot will choose for the 12 man team.
Another reason why I wanted replacements was because of our lack of players in the 3 spot. You may argue that Gabe Norwood is there to shore up the Small Forward spot. He's pretty much a better version of Jared, except lankier. But, that's the thing, Gilas cannot only rely on Gabe. They also needed Jared for defense, and to give Gabe some rest. Also, there are times that Gabe will play the point guard spot, since he is a Point Forward.
Ranidel De Ocampo is not a natural 3, whether we like it or not. He is more fitted for the 4 position. Japeth Aguilar's handles aren't that good for a 3, and, he can make bad decisions on the court at times. Larry Fonacier and Ryan Reyes are too small for the 3 position. Probably the closest player who can actually play the 3 position for Gilas is Marc Pingris. He is after all around 6'5, and he is probably the best defender in the whole league. Heck, he can actually defend all the positions. But, just like RDO, his game is more fitted for the 4 position. If only he grew 3 inches more...
But after a while, I realized that adding new players would mess up the chemistry and bond that the 15 other players of the Gilas pool have created. Sure you may argue that the practices that the Gilas pool have been conducting haven't had scrimmages and have mostly been composed of offensive sets and such. But you can't ignore the fact that these guys have been practicing for a while now, and with those practices a bond must have been formed. With those simple chit chats, and even just the very sight of your fellow National Team members playing in front of you, for once not an opponent, you get to appreciate your teammates even more. You get to appreciate their game, the way they play, and heck (not to sound too sentimental here or anything), you may actually get to understand the personal side of the player.
One example of this is Marcus Douthit and Gabe Norwood complementing the game of Petron Blaze Boosters big man Junemar Fajardo. Marcus Douthit said so himself, Junemar is a fast learner and he has so much potential. Gabe Norwood says so as well, and he says that Junemar will be an integral part for Gilas' World Championships aspirations.
So, what should Gilas do now? Should they lament and hope the coaching staff looks for replacements, or, should they move on, 15 strong?
From how I see it, Gilas should move on, 15 strong.
Coach Chot will find ways to fill up the hole in the 3 position. Probably Marc Pingris playing the 3? I don't know. But here's one thing I am sure of; Coach Chot Reyes will find a way. He is after all, a champion coach who has proven himself in the professional ranks. I'm sure he can do the same in the international ranks. He, after all, led Gilas to the Jones Cup title after a 14 year drought right?
Fine, the competition there wasn't top notch. No China. No Hamed Haddadi and Arselan Kazemi for Iran. The USA team was composed mostly of small time American league players. That's all true. But whether you like it or not, Gilas still won. Even Coach Raijko Toroman couldn't do that in the 2011 Jones Cup (no hate on the Serbian coach, I have all but respect for him).
Gilas will find a way to patch things up. They may be behind compared to Iran and China in terms of training, but I know that they can do this. The team will have to realize that team chemistry will be integral to place in the FIBA Asia Championships. The team may be the tallest Philippine Team every assembled, and they can actually make a case for most talented. But, we all know that talent does not equate to championships (Just look at the Powerade Pilipinas Team of 2008, they had a prime Kerby Raymundo, a prime Jayjay Helterbrand, and Arwind Santos!). So the team will have to establish their chemistry. Fast.
#GoGilas #LabanPilipinas
I was sad, of course because a fellow human being got into a sudden accident. An accident that could have been avoided. But other than that, I was sad because that meant a blow to the hopes of Gilas Pilipinas to go to the FIBA World Championships in Spain this 2014.
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| Gilas Pilipinas will miss the Daredevil's services this August for the FIBA Asia Championships. (credits to sports.inquirer.net) |
Jared is a 6 foot 5 wing man who can defend multiple positions. He can defend the 1, 2, 3, 4 and even the 5 position at times. Gilas would've needed his height and heft to defend the stronger and taller swing men of the different participating countries in the FIBA Asia Championships this coming August. Some of those swing men are Samad Nikkhah Bahrami of Iran, and the basketball legend of Lebanon that is Fadi El - Khatib (heck, even Michael Jordan thinks Fadi should have been in the NBA).
 |
| Gilas will have to find a way to stop this man sans Dillinger come August. |
And, probably the most important thing that he brings to the table is his hustle. He dives for the ball even if he knows he will get hurt for it. He brings so much energy to the Tropang Texters and to the National Team because of his nose for the ball. That's why he's nicknamed the Daredevil.
So overall, Gilas just lost a slasher, an effective defender for the different swing men of the competing teams for the FIBA Asia Championships this August, and a guy who lives and dies for the ball.
Of course, when the reports of Dillinger's accident came out, there came the idea of a replacement not only for Dillinger, but also for Kelly Williams, who was sidelined because of a recurring illness. The usual suspects surfaced as replacements. Arwind Santos, James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Marcio Lassiter and even Calvin Abueva. Even amateur players such as Bobby Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena entered the conversation concerning replacements.
But sadly, Coach Chot has said so himself that they will not be getting any replacements. Personally, I am 50 - 50 with this issue.
I wanted replacements, because Jared and Kelly were (in my opinion, and as far as I know the opinion of other fans as well), pretty much shoo - ins for the 12 man team for the FIBA Asia Championships because of their experience with international play, and their familiarity with the dribble drive offense that Coach Chot Reyes implements. In short, those two players were vital cogs for the attempt of the Gilas program to go to Spain for the World Championships. So with their loss, that limits the number of guys that Coach Chot will choose for the 12 man team.
 |
| The National Team will also miss the Machine Gun's services this August. |
Another reason why I wanted replacements was because of our lack of players in the 3 spot. You may argue that Gabe Norwood is there to shore up the Small Forward spot. He's pretty much a better version of Jared, except lankier. But, that's the thing, Gilas cannot only rely on Gabe. They also needed Jared for defense, and to give Gabe some rest. Also, there are times that Gabe will play the point guard spot, since he is a Point Forward.
Ranidel De Ocampo is not a natural 3, whether we like it or not. He is more fitted for the 4 position. Japeth Aguilar's handles aren't that good for a 3, and, he can make bad decisions on the court at times. Larry Fonacier and Ryan Reyes are too small for the 3 position. Probably the closest player who can actually play the 3 position for Gilas is Marc Pingris. He is after all around 6'5, and he is probably the best defender in the whole league. Heck, he can actually defend all the positions. But, just like RDO, his game is more fitted for the 4 position. If only he grew 3 inches more...
But after a while, I realized that adding new players would mess up the chemistry and bond that the 15 other players of the Gilas pool have created. Sure you may argue that the practices that the Gilas pool have been conducting haven't had scrimmages and have mostly been composed of offensive sets and such. But you can't ignore the fact that these guys have been practicing for a while now, and with those practices a bond must have been formed. With those simple chit chats, and even just the very sight of your fellow National Team members playing in front of you, for once not an opponent, you get to appreciate your teammates even more. You get to appreciate their game, the way they play, and heck (not to sound too sentimental here or anything), you may actually get to understand the personal side of the player.
One example of this is Marcus Douthit and Gabe Norwood complementing the game of Petron Blaze Boosters big man Junemar Fajardo. Marcus Douthit said so himself, Junemar is a fast learner and he has so much potential. Gabe Norwood says so as well, and he says that Junemar will be an integral part for Gilas' World Championships aspirations.
So, what should Gilas do now? Should they lament and hope the coaching staff looks for replacements, or, should they move on, 15 strong?
From how I see it, Gilas should move on, 15 strong.
Coach Chot will find ways to fill up the hole in the 3 position. Probably Marc Pingris playing the 3? I don't know. But here's one thing I am sure of; Coach Chot Reyes will find a way. He is after all, a champion coach who has proven himself in the professional ranks. I'm sure he can do the same in the international ranks. He, after all, led Gilas to the Jones Cup title after a 14 year drought right?
Fine, the competition there wasn't top notch. No China. No Hamed Haddadi and Arselan Kazemi for Iran. The USA team was composed mostly of small time American league players. That's all true. But whether you like it or not, Gilas still won. Even Coach Raijko Toroman couldn't do that in the 2011 Jones Cup (no hate on the Serbian coach, I have all but respect for him).
Gilas will find a way to patch things up. They may be behind compared to Iran and China in terms of training, but I know that they can do this. The team will have to realize that team chemistry will be integral to place in the FIBA Asia Championships. The team may be the tallest Philippine Team every assembled, and they can actually make a case for most talented. But, we all know that talent does not equate to championships (Just look at the Powerade Pilipinas Team of 2008, they had a prime Kerby Raymundo, a prime Jayjay Helterbrand, and Arwind Santos!). So the team will have to establish their chemistry. Fast.
#GoGilas #LabanPilipinas
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