The FIBA Olympic qualifiers

Losing out to the People’s Republic of China in our bid to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, it was a redemption of some sorts when the Philippines was awarded hosting rights by the FIBA Executive Committee for one of three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, along with Italy (Turin) and Serbia (Belgrade).  The games will be played beginning July 4 to 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Eighteen teams that failed to get automatic qualification to the 2016 Rio de Janiero Games will have another shot at realizing their Olympic dreams.  They will be divided into three 6-team tournaments, the winner in each of the three events flies to the land of samba.

The 6-team, 3 tournaments qualifications began in 2008.  It replaced the single tournament, 12-team Olympic qualifiers.  The new system affords more nations chances to get into the quadrennial games.  Team draws will be known by Wednesday next week and with the quality of the competition, there is no such thing as luck of the draw.

Along with the Philippines, the men’s national basketball teams of Angola, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Serbia and Tunisia will compete.  Due to their FIBA World rankings and final standings at the 2015 EuroBasket, Croatia, Latvia and Turkey completes the 18-team cast.

I am not so sure about Angola and Tunisia but the rest of the teams have at least a player with NBA experience and these Olympic basketball qualifiers will be a very stiff and exciting competition.  Among the notable NBA players are Canada’s  Robert  Sacre (LAL) and Kelly Olynyk (BOS), Croatia’s Bojan Bogdanovic (BKN), Czech Republic’s Damjan Rudez (MIN), France’s Tony Parker (SAS) and Rudy Gobert (UTA), Greece’s Giannis Antetokoumpo (MIL), Italy’s Marco Bellineli (DEN), Latvia’s Kristaps Porzingis (NYK), Puerto Rico’s JJ Barea (DAL), Senegal’s Gorgui Deng (MIN), Serbia’s Nemanja Beljica (MIN) and Boban Majanovic (SAS) and Turkey’s Enes Kanter (OKC).

Supposedly, the Gilas have scheduled once weekly practices but conflicting reports say that the Monday workouts were temporarily suspended because it goes against PBA schedules.  A good number of those included in the pool are playing in the PBA conference finals between Alaska and San Miguel.

Hosting is one thing, having a competitive team is another thing.  Yes we have the homecourt advantage but what exactly can “puso” do if our Gilas can’t fly that high because they have very short wingspans.  We’re so used to cramming and blaming everyone but the Pope for a hastily formed squad it’s about time for all groups concerned to focus and cooperate if we really, badly, madly want to go to Rio as a competitor.

We need big men.  Although very much serviceable, Andre Blatche had seen better days and as per observation, he is better suited as a stretch 4.   If I could just have my way, June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter will alternate at the middle.  Both are good offensive centers and can play defense.  Japeth Aguilar and Ranidel de Ocampo, if he’s medically cleared to play, can spell for Blatche.   If RDO is out, I would very much like to have Beau Belga on board, at least Calvin Abueva will have a partner in physical and psychological warfare.

Jeff Chan, Terence Romeo and Jason Castro should be at the backcourt with Abueva.  Completing my Gilas 12 will be Marc Pingris, Kelly Williams and Gabe Norwood.  Williams will have to give up his spot if Jordan Clarkson will be cleared to play for the Philippines by the NBA.  If only Dondon Hontiveros were three years younger.  I hope the local basketball gods will not entertain the idea of bringing in Kobe Paras.  The hype surrounding the kid is too much that he’s capitalizing on it by showboating and unless we are entered in a tournament with a Harlem Globetrotters format, so be it. 

In all fairness, Paras is really tall and talented and has lateral quickness.  His potential is yet to be fully developed and it would be premature for him to be with the men’s team.  He needs seasoning and when he will be playing mature basketball, he will thrive and excel with the core group of Bobby Ray Parks, Keifer Ravena, Mac Belo, Jeron Teng and Troy Rosario on the next iteration of the Gilas.

My Gilas Pilipinas line-up is wishful thinking but who knows, Tab Baldwin might also be subscribing to The Freeman and would consider my choices.  Unless of course their mother teams have different agendas and manufacture dubious excuses and prevent their players from suiting up for the national team.  Then again, we will be flying with broken wings, falling with a very loud thud, throats sore from shouting, “puso” needing multiple by-pass from disappointment.