WITH two losses, the classification phase of the Fiba World Championships is where Gilas end up. They still have their last group assignment against Angola at 3 p.m. today, and we are eager to see the team salvage a win before the classification phase.
Being able to play in the world championships is already an honor for our basketball-crazy country. Meeting Serbia and Italy, world number 4 and 13th ranked teams, didn’t do much to satiate our basketball palates eager for competitive match-ups. We are still clearly way out of their league. The match-up between 39nth ranked Angola later should at least be exciting. Ranked at 31st, eight notches better than them, we should play like a team worthy of the ranking we have.
This world championship foray should already be a wake-up call for the evolution of our basketball program as a nation. We have long been playing the American style of basketball when even the NBA has slowly adapted how the Europeans are approaching the game. Our Asian neighbors have long developed the outside and perimeter shooting while we still make drives to the basket guarded by 6-foot guards and 7-foot centers of the opposing teams. Our average height as Filipinos, at 5’8”, won’t allow us to keep on driving to the hoop. Our games against Serbia and Italy magnified this predicament. And if you didn’t notice, even with their height advantage, they still take the three’ s and perimeter shots. They are going to the hoop only for uncontested layups and dunks.
Yes, we sorely missed shooters, but we can already build on developing players who can shoot starting in the grassroots.
Another thing we need to develop if we are to succeed in international tournaments is the defense. The global play sees terrific ball movement. We cannot keep up with our defensive rotations leaving opponents wide open for outside shots and cut to the basket layups. Our players are always caught flat-footed in defense.
As far as ball movement goes, we also need to develop a system where we dribble less and pass more. Keep the ball moving to keep them on their feet and not allow their defense to swallow us whole.
As stated, it is already an honor to play with the world’s best, but we cannot be content with just playing with them. We have to evolve our game and give them a run for their money. From here on, we develop and apply it in future international tournaments, starting with the SEA Games.