It seems that after the Olympic qualifier, we won't be seeing the same Smart-Gilas team that brought a revived enthusiasm for Philippine basketball. There are those who would try their skill in the professional leagues, namely JV Casio, Andy Barroca, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Lutz, who applied for the PBA draft. On the other hand, the Cebuano Hotshot, Dondon Hontiveros, called it quits after a tiring stint. The same goes for Asi Taulava, who already felt that a handful of PBA seasons and stints with the various national teams were more than enough.
The good news is, Smart-Gilas Pilipinas team captain Chris Tiu decided not to play in the professional league, and hoped that his contract will be renewed with the Philippine team. And hopefully, Tiu's decision to stay would also invite Coach Raijko Toroman to do so as well, seeing that there's still someone left who knows his system.
But the more important concern is the replacements for those who have departed. Who could be the ones who can wear the red, blue, and white, and represent our country in international tournaments?
-News came in a few months ago about the addition of professional cagers Sol Mercado, Jimmy Alapag, and Kelly Williams in the Smart Gilas roster. Of course, their professional experience have already said a lot about them, and they could provide the necessary force that the national team needs. But the question is, can they work full time with the national team like Hontiveros or Taulava? Could they also be willing to leave their respective teams and participate on a full time basis?
-Also, remember that there are current Smart Gilas players playing in the collegiate ranks. Greg Slaughter still has to work for his college degree, including two years of serving as the pillar of the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles. Aldrech Ramos, on the other hand, is in his final year in Far Eastern University. These two will be helpful especially that Japeth Aguilar and Marcus Douthit need reliable back ups to cover the paint.
-Speaking of collegiate players, how about considering recalling JR Cawaling, also in the final year of playing for the Tamaraws? Or former applicant Ryan Buenafe, who is on a hiatus at the moment to catch up on academic requirements and trim his weight down?
-It might be also good to review the previous Powerade Pilipinas national team, led by Yeng Guiao, and pick out some gems. Governor's Cup Finals MVP Arwind Santos is a likely candidate, and so is Alaska Aces guard Cyrus Baguio. James Yap would be a good addition, as well as Gabe Norwood. But then, we run again into the question of commitment.
-Is anyone familiar with the Sinag Pilipinas team that Coach Norman Black came up with for international amateur tournaments? There are a handful of names from the collegiate ranks that could be standouts for the Smart Gilas team. But the most qualified candidate among them would be FEU Tamaraws' RR Garcia. The Season 73 Most Valuable Player can do even more than what Mark Barroca can do in his FEU days, and maybe he will be as valuable as Barroca was in the team. Fil-Ams Bobby Ray Parks and soon-to-be Blue Eagle Chris Newsome could also be good additions. On the NCAA side, we have "The Beast" Calvin Abueva and Garvo Lanete, from the Stags and the Red Lions respectively. And this may not be an immediate concern, but Smart Gilas should do all it takes to sway the Phenom Kiefer Ravena and have him play for the country. After all he has already done so in the U-16 and U-18 categories.
So, having all these options, what would it be for Smart Gilas? Or would everyone still hang on to the hopes that the guys in the PBA draft drop their names off when Friday comes?
Credits to Inquirer.net, Interaktv, GMANews, CDOLifestyle.com, Kvitters, Nugglepurl, and Metagini for the pictures.
