TERRENCE34

Yes, at Gold's Gym

will buy a new pair of shoes

Excerpts from The DEan's article today at Philstrar:

 

Reader Brian Gan recently sent in an e-mail saying in his life, he has written formally only four times – to the United Nations (unspecified topic), then-President Estrada (also unspecified topic), this column (commenting on the Centennial team led by coach Tim Cone in 1998) and once more, this column. Gan described himself as a 38-year-old businessman. Here are excerpts from his latest letter:

 

"It was my father's birthday last Sept. 27 and as a family tradition, he always would make a wish. Year in and year out, his wish will always be to have better health. This year, he decided to think of country. A first from a man who stopped watching Philippine basketball since China crushed the Robert Jaworski team, 130-65, (at the Asian Games in 1990). My dad, who actually went to Beijing with his friends, felt embarrassed by the loss. They believed the Japanese head coach who boldly predicted the Philippines would win it all.

 

"So after 21 years, my father watched his first Philppine team game versus the NBA All-Stars and was very impressed with the system used by coach Rajko Toroman. Please bear in mind, MVP took a team of discards, not of superstars but players who wanted to play for country. He got a 6-10 guy who never made it to the NBA, used Taulava and three Talk 'N' Text players who practiced for the shortest possible time and gave us a chance to take third place (in FIBA-Asia). Do we need Rajko? We do. He is the second coming of Ron Jacobs who coached a team built around Mike Mustre and Art de la Cruz and made them finish third in the PBA. We need the PBA to lend players, train them for how long Toroman wants. Stop our crab mentality and make proper suggestions on how to be better. This is for our country.

 

"Jordan is the second best team in Asia. Toroman showed us we can beat this team. He actually did it in four instances. Japan is our long-time rival and Toroman is unbeaten against Japan. Did we actually think we can beat Iran? I didn't until Toroman showed his boys and our country that we can. We beat them in the Jones Cup. Against China, we lost by 15 with a 10-man team on China's home floor. Korea can easily defeat us by 15. Toroman and Smart Gilas led 85 percent of the way but it was not meant to be. Maybe it was good we didn't win so we can come together as a nation and realize we just need a little more push and cooperation.

 

"Toroman is like Freddie Roach. Manny Pacquiao is a great boxer, he listens to his coach. Lassiter, Lutz, Casio, Tiu, Marcus, Japeth, Mac and the rest all know the value of Toroman. This guy is more Filipino than many of us, he wants his players to sing the national anthem. The PBA's recent proposal to lend 16 players is flawed because the players can only play in one tournament, meaning FIBA-Asia. But we need to train them to play in other tournaments. Toroman wants to have three months to train his team. Look at Japeth, Lutz and Baracael, all fresh from Gilas, all leading their team in the PBA, an indication of how good Toroman is. I hope Toroman comes back. We need him."

Well said. +100

Going to a SPA.

What's your favorite SPA?

Tara Na!

Teach me how to dougie

@ Sir Photographer - My mistake. Actually I was looking for a tall player that might suit up for the PF position who can be intimidating inside the painted area. My only consideration here was his size. Aldrech Ramos can be a good option instead of Yancy.

@ Sir Khilua23 - Yes indeed, Lassiter can be a better SG than Norwood. Kailangan lang mag-improve ang consistency ng shooting nya.

I had a wonderful time thinking of a possible line-up for the next Gilas team.

Thanks for the comments guys .

I've been reviewing who could possibly be the next team members of the Smart Gilas team and this is what I have thought of ala PBA Fantasy...

1st Five:

C - Marcus Douthit 6'11"

PF - Yancy De Ocampo 6'9"

SF - Japeth Aguilar 6'9"

SG - Gabe Norwood 6'5"

PG - Alex Cabagnot 6'0"

2nd Five:

C - Greg Slaughter 7'0"

PF - Jun Fajardo 6'10"

SF - Arwind Santos 6'4"

SG - Bobby Ray Parks 6'5"

PG - Paul Lee 6'1"

Reserves:

F/G - Chris Lutz 6'4"

F/G - Jeffrei Chan 6'2"

Average height of this team: 6'6"

What do you think guys?

I liked what Toroman did to Smart Gilas.

Just one comment though.. Dapat hindi nya pinilit maging power forward si Japeth Aguilar. Japeth is very ideal in the small forward position. Maganda ang shooting nung bata and he's very quick.

No doubt about it, still it's Michael Jordan.

Haaayz... suddenly, the future of Philippine basketball has again become so gloomy.

Under coach Toroman, the Gilas team placed 4th over-all in the latest FIBA Asia championship DESPITE having eight (8) AMATEUR players. What more can we ask for?

And then ano na ang susunod na plano? Haphazard preparation ulit?!?

An all star squad doesn't work in international games. Mas lamang ang team effort dito rather than individual plays. Zone defense kasi ang ginagamit and not the typical one-on-one which we are used to PBA.

The plan of the PBA to lend its players for international competitions as long as it does not disrupt in the schedule of PBA is futile. We've been doing that ever since and yet walang nangyayari. We need a cohesive unit, a team that should be formed right now and will play together as one team starting today until FIBA 2013.

If our main goal is to win at FIBA 2013, then let this team play in the PBA to match up with the other teams with imports until 2013. Adjustments will be made along the way with the team's roster but the core should be intact. Also, can we suggest that the PBA adopts the FIBA rules? Para makapag-adjust lahat sa international style of playing. If we want to win, then we should all be unified to this.

no need to form another team just add marcus to any pba team.... sayang lang panahon and pera....look imagine if you just added marcus to tnt.... tutal alapag, ocampo, kelly is already in the roster.... tanong k loang who would you prefer... a jv casio or a jason castro? a Chris tiu or a ryan reyes? a barracael or a jarred dillinger.... let face it kung wala c kuya marcus malamang kulelat tayo.... the guy is the only consistent player in the team almost averaging double double for us.... and since MVP is bankrolling everything might as well add the meralco bolt players to the fray as a matter of fact asi is also a player for meralco bolt....

Good point here bro catsumhoto. We have already done this before, sending a PBA team to represent our country. The difference will be to add Marcus Douthit to this team and possibly a few outstanding amateur players like Slaughter and Parks.

Pwede rin mag combine ang mga key players ng TNT and Meralco para mas malakas. This is doable and MVP actually has this as an option.

no need to form another team just add marcus to any pba team.... sayang lang panahon and pera....look imagine if you just added marcus to tnt.... tutal alapag, ocampo, kelly is already in the roster.... tanong k loang who would you prefer... a jv casio or a jason castro? a Chris tiu or a ryan reyes? a barracael or a jarred dillinger.... let face it kung wala c kuya marcus malamang kulelat tayo.... the guy is the only consistent player in the team almost averaging double double for us.... and since MVP is bankrolling everything might as well add the meralco bolt players to the fray as a matter of fact asi is also a player for meralco bolt....

Good point here bro catsumhoto. We have already done this before, sending a PBA team to represent our country. The difference will be to add Marcus Douthit to this team and possibly a few outstanding amateur players like Slaughter and Parks.

Pwede rin mag combine ang mga key players ng TNT and Meralco para mas malakas. This is doable and MVP actually has this as an option.

You know why it hurts so much? Coz we know kaya natin manalo. Kinapos lang talaga tayo sa talents particularly on the shooters. 8 amateur players were on the team and yet we made it to the final 4. If we sent the best players we have and have them prepared 3 years ago, I believe we could've been the Champion right now.

As early as now, we should prepare for the FIBA Asia Cup 2013.

Na silat pa.. really a heart breaker.

Anyways, congrats Gilas for making it 4th.

Douthit, Tiu, and coach Toroman will have to build a new stronger team.

Definitely, UFC.

I haven't watch the game earlier. Nakakapanghinayang... Nawala na nga yung Iran, natalo pa rin tayo . Haaay...

Ang ganda pa naman ng nilaro nila kagabi. Was it a case of early celebration kaya naging complacent sila?

Can't help it but I feel so sad..

But still, it was a gallant stand by the Philippine team Smart Gilas.

If we lose tomorrow against Korea, we have to wait for another 2 years.. Tama ba?

Bakit binangkona naman si Japeth Aguilar ?

The team may just be doing what is needed to win. Japeth is still weak when it comes to defense. In the game against China, pinaglaruan lang sya ni Wang.

On the other hand, baka tinatago lang ni coach Toroman si Japeth. He's a shooter, and at 6'9", mahirap yan bantayan sa perimeter and 3-point shooting.

I'm sure Japeth will be used when the right time comes.

The win over Japan last night gives us great confidence and momentum is now high.

Ang maganda sa ginawa ni Coach Toroman, hindi na nagrerely ang team Philippines sa one on one plays. Mas maganda ngayon ang teamwork. Unlike before na masyado tayo umaasa sa individual skills ng mga players kaya kahit PBA all-stars ang pinadala natin noon, natatalo pa rin tayo.

And yes, we showed them what great defense really is.

Na notice ko lang, ganun klaseng defense din ang ginawa ng China sa tin nung 2nd day of the tournament..

At this point, we are in a very comfortable position. Wag lang maging complacent ang Gilas team and, I should say, we have a chance of winning this tournament.

We need to win tonight's game against Japan for the above bracket to be possible. Dahil kung hindi, quarterfinals pa lang Korea na kaagad ang makakasagupa natin. If we win against Korea, China naman sa Semis.

Korea and Japan are showing signs of prowess in this tournament, even more powerful than the Chinese team.

Sana mag click ang shooting natin mamaya para sure na ang semis slot.

Lamang pa actually ang Gilas nung 2nd half 39-32 against China kahit na hindi maganda ang laro ni Douthit at hindi nag click ang 3-point shooting natin.

On the other hand, pag wala si Yi sa floor, they seemed to be helpless. Gilas should double team Yi.

I salute Chris Tiu for the effort. He was literally sacrificing his body for the team.

Go Gilas! may pag-asa pa!

The Chinese squad is not that solid. In my opinion, kayang kaya ni Marcus si Yi.

Our guards are faster. Mabagal ang tansition nila.

Si Wang lang talaga ang magiging concern. Japeth must step up so he can guard him.

I believe in the willpower of these guys. The preparation they made was tremendous. We may have yet to see the full potential of this team.

We'll find that out starting today.

Go Gilas!!!

Top 1: Tony Harris

1st player to reach 105 points in a single game. If I remember it right, that was against Ginebra held in San Agustin Gym, Iloilo City.

No player can stop him that time

Sayang naman. He was a key player in their win against Japan. There must be a good reason why he can't suit up for the Philippine Gilas team.