FIBA Asia Cup 2012 vs Iran Semifinals

Another loss in the books of the Philippine Team. Some of the excuses are:

• This tournament is not important
• The team just started practice 3months ago (though the Iran team that beat us just prepared 1week before the tournament) source (34secs mark): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdj7M_yEb6M
• We can still battle for 3rd place
• We faced Iran too early, or we are in the group of death (referring to top teams like China, S. Korea, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan)
• The team still lack star players from the PBA
• Players not in shape

but you got to be at least in the Finals at each tournament you join and have a shot in the Gold. It is always like this. FANS ALWAYS tried to be PATIENT, including me, every time we lose, that we can win the next time around, but for me after seeing already 3-4 RP teams fail, it is still not happening.

There are a lot of things I believe we can do in international tournaments. I understand how short we are compare to our opposing team, but we got to find ways to win it all.

In each game, we defend different opponents, in terms of style, and also, they defend us in different ways. In this game, I think one thing we can do is to play pick and roll. I found this game to be dependent one on ones and forcing shots, there may be glimpse of good passing which resulted to good shots, but most of the game, we commit turnovers by trying to force things.

I know I'm not a coach or a basketball expert, but I believe we can win against these tough teams. Some suggestions I think can help the team:

• Roster Changes: I hope that other teams will lend their players and I think that not only we have height disadvantage, but also most of our players are not capable of playing important games. So far, the player that shows promise that he can play under pressure is LA Tenorio.

1. LA Tenorio - I think LA needs to stay in this team, he plays under pressure, although in this game, he was defended well because his teammates were not shooting well. 
2. Gary David - I'm dissapointed with Gary David as he cannot find his rhythm as he used to. What we need in the lineup are players who are consistent. Also, one thing that limits Gary is he's not used to dribbling the ball and more of a catch and shoot, and for a guard, you need to attack the basket to create opportunities for yourself and your teammate. 
3. Larry Fonacier - I think that Larry can be a holdover in this team because he can shoot from the outside and can attack the basket. Although in the defensive perspective, he is just a average defender. 
4. Jeff Chan - he can shoot and attack the basket, but one thing I found out that he struggles to shoot during crunch time. 
5. Gabe Norwood - Gabe should stay in the team because he is one of our best defenders in the team. Although sometimes he struggles with his shots, but still we need a tall guard in the wings.
6. Jared Dillinger - Not bad for Dillinger in the tournament so far, but not really a go to guy in the game. He is really good in attacking the basket and create for his teammates plus he have the height. But, he still struggles playing the point meaning he cannot set the right play for the team.
7. Ranidel de Ocampo - our weakest position in the team is the power forward position and we really can't replace Ranidel in the line up since we have a small pool for PF's. So far in the tournament, he hasn't found his rhythm from the 3's but he helps in the inside.
8. Marcus Douthit - No question, our only big guy down low. I really can't blame Douthit if he plays bad because he is playing a lot of minutes every game.
9. Sonny Thoss - the WORST player I have seen especially having a high expectation from him. His role is to replace Douthit to give him rest, but Thoss has an offensive game in his arsenal but cannot work it out in international games, even missing wide open undergoal stabs.
10. - 12. Enrico Villanueva, Matt Rosser, JR Reyes - these three guys didn't not see enough minutes so we really cannot judge them, but I believe that they are replaceable.

So far, this is my team.

PG-LA Tenorio, Alex Cabagnot*

SG-Marcio Lassiter*, Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier

SF-Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger

PF-Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris*

C-Marcus Douthit, Japeth Aguilar

Situational Substitution without sacrificing too much on other aspects of the game

Starter: Tenorio, Lassiter, Norwood, De Ocampo, Douthit

Tall: Norwood, Lassiter, Dillinger, Williams, Douthit

Quick: Tenorio, Reyes, Dillinger, Pingris, Williams

Defense: Reyes, Norwood, Pingris, Williams, Douthit

3pts: Cabagnot, Fonacier, Lassiter, de Ocampo, Aguilar

Freethrow: Tenorio, Cabagnot, Fonacier, Norwood, Douthit 

Clutch: Tenorio/Cabagnot, Fonacier, Lassiter, Norwood, Douthit

*if allowed to play by mother team

• The Play

Again, I think this team, especially the guards, needs screens as it is really hard to breakdown a taller and longer player. The power forwards should give picks for the guard to be able to move around and attack the basket. We cannot depend too much on Douthit to give screen and expect him to rebound the ball.

From what I saw, we really had a hard time attacking the zone because we can't penetrate without giving screens that is why we force shots and throw long passes.

But at the end of the day, I still believe in this Gilas team no matter what happens. We cannot really blame the supporters to critic the team because we want the team to succeed, so we just have to do everything we can to improve and hopefully someday win it all.

FIBA Asia Cup 2012 vs Lebanon

After a dissapointing loss last night against the tall but inexperience China squad, we came out tonight with a lot more determination against the more veteran team, also defending champion, Lebanon.

We practically stayed within distance in the first three quarters, not letting the Lebanese to catch fire. Our defense was ok since we limit the opponent to just around 20 pts in every quarter, but our shooting is still not consistent. But, you got to like the aggresiveness of the team by attacking the defense and not setlle for jumpshots.

The Good: I liked how aggresive they were in attacking the basket. We also made defensive stops through our help defenses especially against their star player Fadi El Khatib.

The Bad: we still are not consistent in the freethrow line and 3pts shots, but definitely a better improvement from last game.

The Turning Point: we made a key run in the 4th quarter to extend the lead to as high as 8pts.

Best Player: Marcus Douthit as usual impose huge numbers in points and rebounds, but what I was impress is how he protected his 2 fouls from the 1st quarter up to the 4th quarter.

FIBA Asia Cup 2012 vs China

This game was a case of bad shooting for the Philippines. We missed a lot of three pointers, but credit our defense as they held the opponent to below 40% field goal, but the opponent also limited us to 35% FG. Our defense made them commit 22 turnovers which is a big number and converted 19 second chance points.

One thing is that our freethrows had been bad in this game, the reason is probably they are not used to the ring yet. I liked how the players drive hard to the basket but they can't make freethrows, but hopefully they will get their rhythm back.

The Good: Our defense is tough forcing opponents to turnovers

The Bad: Aside from missing freethrows, we got out-rebounded by a very big margin. Well, I cannot blame them since we are really smaller in height, but I could have hoped a better battle down low.

today will be against the defending champion Lebanon, I hope we can get back on track and win this game.

FIBA Asia Cup 2012 will be on September 14-22, 2012 at Tokyo, Japan
this is MY projected standings after the elimination round..

Group A
Lebanon ( 4-0 )
Philippines ( 3-1 ) loss to Lebanon
China ( 2-2 ) loss to Lebanon and Philippines
Uzbekistan ( 1-3 ) win against Macau
Macau ( 0-4 )

Philippines
vs Lebanon - the early favorites in the tournament since they are the defending champions, plus I heard that Fadi El-Khatib will be playing in this tournament and also having an import in the lineup make them a tough team. They have the chance to upset Lebanese, but I think the chances are a little low.

vs China - which compose of the team B are still a young team. Talent-wise, no question they are, but will have a difficult time if the game comes down to crucial moments

vs Uzbekistan and Macau - No idea of these two teams, but as far as I know, they are not a strong team.

Group B
Iran ( 4-0 )
Japan ( 3-1 )
Qatar ( 2-2 )
Chinese Taipei ( 1-3 )
India ( 0-4 )

In group B, two teams that the Philippines will probably meet in the quarters are the Japan and Qatar team. Since, I expect our team to place 2nd or a 3rd (if we lose to China), so will probably end up with the two teams.

vs Japan - we have beaten them in the recent Jones Cup in Taiwan, but only by a close margin, so it is not a guaranteed win if we play against them, plus, they are the host team.

vs Qatar - this team is a tough one since they are tall and strong. They also have an import in Trey Johnson, former NBA player, so it is really a strong team.

Share your thoughts in the comment box =)