This latest version of Gilas Pilipinas will head to Thailand with limited preparation time and heavy expectations from home fans.
The preparations of the Philippine men’s national basketball team for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand have been, to say the least, less than ideal. Gilas Pilipinas has had to deal with last-minute lineup changes due to the hosts’ changing eligibility rules which has left coach Norman Black desperately searching for players to fill the 12-man lineup.
Stricken out were Justin Brownlee, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Ange Kouame and Mike Phillips, three of which are big men. They were eventually replaced by Cedrick Manzano, Justin Chua, Dalph Panopio and Allen Liwag.
Black, though, is candid enough to admit that his team has lost some height and will have to rely on their other strengths as they seek to defend the men’s basketball crown.
“We know we lack a little bit of size as far as height is concerned,” Black told The GAME in an exclusive interview. “But I did pick up some good rebounders, and I’m expecting they will rebound the ball, which will give us a chance to get out and run a little bit, which will take away from the fact that we haven’t had much time to prepare.
“You know, our tallest person player is (Jamie) Malonzo. He’s 6’7″. He plays the small forward position. So when we lost Phillips and we lost Grosser, we actually lost our size. Of course, you had Brownlee there. He’s a big guy, too.”
The team held its first full practice on Monday, less than three weeks before they fly to Bangkok on December 11. It’s hardly enough time for everyone to jell, but Black feels rebounding and shooting will be the key.
“Our preparation has been very, very short. But if we can control the boards and run, then it makes things a little bit easier as far as having to come down and execute plays and things like that. So I’m expecting us to be a team that can rebound and run, play defense, and a be good shooting team. Because I have some good shooters on my team.
“I have some perimeter shooters. Malonzo is a good perimeter shooter. (Robert) Bolick is one of the best in the PBA. (Von) Pessumal is a perimeter shooter. Ray-ray Parks is a perimeter shooter. Matthew Wright is a perimeter shooter.
“So I’m hoping these guys will bring a lot to the table as far as being able to stretch the defense, space the defense.”
Black is counting on the opposing teams using a zone defense against the defending champs.
“I really believe that most of these teams will probably play a zone. I mean, I can’t really say for sure, because I don’t want to judge anybody’s talent before I actually see them. But I think they’re going to have a difficult time man-to-man. So I’m expecting they’ll probably go zone. So that’s why it’s very important that we have guys that can space the floor.”
Gilas is grouped with Malaysia and Vietnam. The play Malaysia first on December 14 and Vietnam the following day. If they finish top of their group, they automatically book a semifinal slot. In this case, they get two days off before playing in the semifinals on December 18, and if things break their way, the finals on December 19. The hosts, led by Moses Morgan and Frederick Lish, loom as perhaps the biggest threat to the Gilas title defense.
“I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on Southeast Asian basketball, but it seems to be that Thailand is going to be one of the stronger teams,” Black said. It seems to me that Thailand will be one of the stronger teams.
“I know they have about two guys that look to be about 6’7″, 6’8″. And one is quite young, he’s only about 22 years old. He looks like he’s about 260 pounds. We’re going to have to figure out a way to try to defend him and the other big guys from Thailand.
“Lish is more of a scorer. Despite the fact he’s only about 5’10”, 5’9″. And Morgan’s a good all-around player. He’s going to rebound the ball, he’s going to score a little bit. So yeah, Thailand is going to be tough.”
But regardless of who Gilas trots out onto the playing floor, Black knows that Filipino fans always have high expectations for their SEA Games men’s basketball team.
“We’re going there to win. There’s no other objective except to win. Remember, this is a Philippines team going to the SEA Games, so we’re almost expected to win.
“So we definitely want to go there with the attitude to win this.”
Banner images from PBA Images and POC/PSC