As of this writing, Gilas has just arrived at Palanga, Lithuania, the site of their training camp for the next two weeks. Coach Chot dubs it as the beginning of the "61 Day Trip to History". 61 days to the FIBA Asia Championships this August.
Before we list down the things we should watch out for in this trip, let's list down the schedule of activities for the Philippine national team.
Today, June 4, Gilas will start their training camp in the confines of the Svyturio Arena in Klaipeda. Their training will consist of two sessions daily; first, during the morning, they will have their conditioning exercises. Come evening, they will have their basketball scrimmages. They will be having a game every two days. On June 5, they will be up against Klaipedos Neptunas squad which recently finished at third place in the Lithuanian Basketball League. On June 7 and 15 (the eve of their departure), they will be against the Kaunas LSU - Baltai squad. On June 9, they will face off against Birstono Jazz Diremta, and on June 11 and 13, they will have skirmishes against the Lithuanian U - 20 Team which won the 2012 U - 20 European Championships against France. Come June 16, they come back home.
I'm pretty sure most of you are thinking right now, "Gilas will be against guys way bigger than them, probably in the same mold of a Bruno Sundov." Well, that isn't the case. Based on the research that I did against the teams Gilas will be facing, (correct me if I'm wrong) the tallest player they will be against is the big man dunking in the photo above, Egidijus Mockevicius who stands at 6'10. We have three players in the pool who stand at 6'10, and those are Japeth Aguilar, Junemar Fajardo, and of course, Marcus Douthit (I personally don't count Greg as part of the pool because of his exclusion to the Lithuanian trip). Gilas won't have to worry about defending guys who are bigger than them. They'll have to worry about defending guys who have skill sets that are made for the international game. And that brings us to the first thing that we should watch out for.
For the next two weeks, Junemar will have to defend big men who are around his height, and who can shoot all the way from the perimeter. Not only will he be able to enhance his defensive ability, but for sure, his offense as well.
For one, he has a developing jumper, and as said, European Basketball is focused on exactly that; jump shooting. Having the luxury of training with some of the best European coaches in the world will be key for Junemar in developing his already smooth looking jumper. Consistency will be the key in making Junemar an even more potent offensive weapon.
Next, Junemar's mobility will be improved upon, meaning he can utilize his moves in the post even quicker than usual. Junemar already has an effective amount of post moves, and his footwork is excellent for a guy his size. Adding mobility to his repertoire will be essential for his growth as a big man.
Now, many of you may wonder, how exactly will Japeth Aguilar benefit from this trip? Thing is, between him and Junemar, he is probably the less raw big man. He has respectable handles for a guy his size, and he has an ever improving jump shot. He has also proven to be a monster of a shot blocker, being the anchor of the defense of the Globalport Batang Pier. But, between him and Junemar.. he's the one with the attitude problem.
Many have called him a prima donna for his antics outside the court. He isn't exactly a messed up guy who drinks, and parties and gets into fights. It's just that, he's pretty demanding. Many have called him "Mr. I Want More Playing Time", and I kind of agree with this. Plus, his basketball IQ isn't exactly the best. He's not as bad as Javale McGee, but his tendency to dunk almost every time can become bad for Gilas, especially if teams get to scout that. So, how will this trip fix that?
For one, he will be with a number of veterans for the trip this year. Note the term, "this year". Here's the thing, so much is at stake for the FIBA Asia Championships this year. First, obviously, the opportunity to join the World Championships. Next, this is probably the best chance of Gilas to reach the top three at least of FIBA Asia. Lastly, it's being held in Manila. Pride will be at stake. The pressure is on Gilas. So you can expect the veterans to be stricter this time around. Don't be shocked too if Marcus Douthit scolds Japeth if he makes mistakes during the course of the trip. These mistakes will make Japeth an even better player.
Next, he will train with a number of proven international coaches. For sure, some coaches in Lithuania will help Gilas in their preparations. European Basketball is known to be a strict and disciplined type of style, so expect the coaches to be strict to every player, especially those who make a number of mistakes.
For the basketball stand point, we should watch out for Japeth's growth as a perimeter defender, and as a jump shooter. Basically the same reason as Junemar, but for Japeth, it's more of improving and not developing.
The development of Gilas' chemistry
This will be the most integral part in the training of Gilas as a pool. It's practically 14 days with each other. There are barely any Filipinos in Lithuania. No family there. Their family for the mean time are each other. They will have to live as brothers, as a family for the next few days. And it will be tough.
It won't be like Pinoy Big Brother where the housemates go insane on each other because of house sickness, not at all, so you won't see any fistfights between Junemar and Marcus during the course of the trip. There will probably be misunderstandings and frustration, but that's natural, especially with this much pressure on them.
This is where, we find out who is indeed worthy of donning the National Team colors come August. We find out who is worthy to sacrifice for the sake of the team.
Matira matibay, ika nga.
In this trip, the players will get to know each other even more. They will know not only each other's games and how they can fit it with the dribble drive, but they will get to know each other's personal life. With this, the players will know how to react toward their fellow NT pool member's attitude. They will know how to understand that player better.
This may sound very dramatic, but, the emotional standpoint may be the most important part in the chemistry building of Gilas. If the players get to understand each other's emotions, they will get to pick up each other's game at an even faster rate.
Lahat ng ito, para sa bayan.
#LabanPilipinas #GoGilas
Before we list down the things we should watch out for in this trip, let's list down the schedule of activities for the Philippine national team.
Today, June 4, Gilas will start their training camp in the confines of the Svyturio Arena in Klaipeda. Their training will consist of two sessions daily; first, during the morning, they will have their conditioning exercises. Come evening, they will have their basketball scrimmages. They will be having a game every two days. On June 5, they will be up against Klaipedos Neptunas squad which recently finished at third place in the Lithuanian Basketball League. On June 7 and 15 (the eve of their departure), they will be against the Kaunas LSU - Baltai squad. On June 9, they will face off against Birstono Jazz Diremta, and on June 11 and 13, they will have skirmishes against the Lithuanian U - 20 Team which won the 2012 U - 20 European Championships against France. Come June 16, they come back home.
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| NCAA Division I standout and Lithuanian U - 20 National team member Egidijus Mockevicius will test the Gilas big men come June 9. (photo courtesy of courierpress.com) |
I'm pretty sure most of you are thinking right now, "Gilas will be against guys way bigger than them, probably in the same mold of a Bruno Sundov." Well, that isn't the case. Based on the research that I did against the teams Gilas will be facing, (correct me if I'm wrong) the tallest player they will be against is the big man dunking in the photo above, Egidijus Mockevicius who stands at 6'10. We have three players in the pool who stand at 6'10, and those are Japeth Aguilar, Junemar Fajardo, and of course, Marcus Douthit (I personally don't count Greg as part of the pool because of his exclusion to the Lithuanian trip). Gilas won't have to worry about defending guys who are bigger than them. They'll have to worry about defending guys who have skill sets that are made for the international game. And that brings us to the first thing that we should watch out for.
How the Gilas big men will defend the Lithuanian big men
This, in my opinion, is the thing we should really watch out for during the course of their trip. Here's the thing, most teams in Asia teach their big men to shoot all the way from the three point line because Asia isn't really a continent known for it's height (exceptions are China and Iran though). But the thing with Philippine Basketball, is that it's basically a more rugged version of American Basketball. Basically, our big men are taught to post up, and to dominate in the inside.
If Gilas really wants a shot at succeeding in the FIBA Asia Championships, more so in the FIBA World Championships if they actually do make it, the big men will really have to learn how to defend big men who can shoot all the way from rainbow country, and exposure from European Basketball is probably the best venue to learn this.
European Basketball doesn't rely heavily on post ups, but they rely on speed, and good ball movement to free up their shooters. As to expand their offensive arsenal, even their centers have to learn how to shoot threes, thus giving European teams the freedom of trusting virtually anyone in the team to shoot the long ball. Some teams that employ such play are Japan, Chinese Taipei, and long time Philippine tormentors, Korea.
Now, in Asia, some big men who can shoot in the perimeter are China's 7 footer and undoubtedly their best player, Yi Jianlian, Japan's power forward in Kosuke Takeuchi, and Chinese Taipei veteran Tseng Wen - Ting.
In Lithuania, as I said, their big men aren't exactly the tallest, but their ability to shoot long range bombs will be reliable enough to prepare our national team for guys like Jianlian come the FIBA Asia Championships.
Now, in Asia, some big men who can shoot in the perimeter are China's 7 footer and undoubtedly their best player, Yi Jianlian, Japan's power forward in Kosuke Takeuchi, and Chinese Taipei veteran Tseng Wen - Ting.
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| Yi Jianlian will be a force to be reckoned with come August. (photo courtesy of truthaboutit.net) |
In Lithuania, as I said, their big men aren't exactly the tallest, but their ability to shoot long range bombs will be reliable enough to prepare our national team for guys like Jianlian come the FIBA Asia Championships.
The continued growth of Junemar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar
I will confess, I am a certified Junemar Fajardo fanboy. Not because some of my schoolmates call me Junemar or Kraken for some odd reason (I'm not exactly the tallest of guys haha), but simply because of the amount of potential he has. I really believe that he is the future of Philippine basketball. As to why, well that's for another conversation.
Now, many of us may know the things Junemar brings to the table. He's big, his footwork is excellent, he has a good basketball IQ, he has an excellent seal in the paint, and his touch is excellent for a guy his size. Despite all of this though, he's not the quickest of big men thus making him a liability in defense. This was perfectly displayed in his first game as a PBA pro, where the Extra Rice Inc. just abused him from the outside by hitting a number of three point baskets.
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| Junemar's development will be one to watch out for in the Lithuanian trip. |
For the next two weeks, Junemar will have to defend big men who are around his height, and who can shoot all the way from the perimeter. Not only will he be able to enhance his defensive ability, but for sure, his offense as well.
For one, he has a developing jumper, and as said, European Basketball is focused on exactly that; jump shooting. Having the luxury of training with some of the best European coaches in the world will be key for Junemar in developing his already smooth looking jumper. Consistency will be the key in making Junemar an even more potent offensive weapon.
Next, Junemar's mobility will be improved upon, meaning he can utilize his moves in the post even quicker than usual. Junemar already has an effective amount of post moves, and his footwork is excellent for a guy his size. Adding mobility to his repertoire will be essential for his growth as a big man.
Now, many of you may wonder, how exactly will Japeth Aguilar benefit from this trip? Thing is, between him and Junemar, he is probably the less raw big man. He has respectable handles for a guy his size, and he has an ever improving jump shot. He has also proven to be a monster of a shot blocker, being the anchor of the defense of the Globalport Batang Pier. But, between him and Junemar.. he's the one with the attitude problem.
Many have called him a prima donna for his antics outside the court. He isn't exactly a messed up guy who drinks, and parties and gets into fights. It's just that, he's pretty demanding. Many have called him "Mr. I Want More Playing Time", and I kind of agree with this. Plus, his basketball IQ isn't exactly the best. He's not as bad as Javale McGee, but his tendency to dunk almost every time can become bad for Gilas, especially if teams get to scout that. So, how will this trip fix that?
 |
| Japeth's growth will be integral for Gilas' stint. (photo courtesy of solarsportsdesk.ph) |
For one, he will be with a number of veterans for the trip this year. Note the term, "this year". Here's the thing, so much is at stake for the FIBA Asia Championships this year. First, obviously, the opportunity to join the World Championships. Next, this is probably the best chance of Gilas to reach the top three at least of FIBA Asia. Lastly, it's being held in Manila. Pride will be at stake. The pressure is on Gilas. So you can expect the veterans to be stricter this time around. Don't be shocked too if Marcus Douthit scolds Japeth if he makes mistakes during the course of the trip. These mistakes will make Japeth an even better player.
Next, he will train with a number of proven international coaches. For sure, some coaches in Lithuania will help Gilas in their preparations. European Basketball is known to be a strict and disciplined type of style, so expect the coaches to be strict to every player, especially those who make a number of mistakes.
For the basketball stand point, we should watch out for Japeth's growth as a perimeter defender, and as a jump shooter. Basically the same reason as Junemar, but for Japeth, it's more of improving and not developing.
The development of Gilas' chemistry
This will be the most integral part in the training of Gilas as a pool. It's practically 14 days with each other. There are barely any Filipinos in Lithuania. No family there. Their family for the mean time are each other. They will have to live as brothers, as a family for the next few days. And it will be tough.
It won't be like Pinoy Big Brother where the housemates go insane on each other because of house sickness, not at all, so you won't see any fistfights between Junemar and Marcus during the course of the trip. There will probably be misunderstandings and frustration, but that's natural, especially with this much pressure on them.
This is where, we find out who is indeed worthy of donning the National Team colors come August. We find out who is worthy to sacrifice for the sake of the team.
Matira matibay, ika nga.
In this trip, the players will get to know each other even more. They will know not only each other's games and how they can fit it with the dribble drive, but they will get to know each other's personal life. With this, the players will know how to react toward their fellow NT pool member's attitude. They will know how to understand that player better.
This may sound very dramatic, but, the emotional standpoint may be the most important part in the chemistry building of Gilas. If the players get to understand each other's emotions, they will get to pick up each other's game at an even faster rate.
Lahat ng ito, para sa bayan.
#LabanPilipinas #GoGilas
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| Para sa bayan. (photo courtesy of philnews.ph) |
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