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 The newly-formed Team Pilipinas is a combination of size and speed, both factors heavily considered by national coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao during the selection process. “With the talent available, that wasn’t really very easy for me,” Guiao said, referring to the selection.
The RP team coach said this year’s height ceiling of 6’4” will be a lot useful when they face Asian powerhouses such as China, Korea and Japan. Last year’s squad had an average height of 6’3”.
“[The height] 6’4” in international competition is not that big. There are teams there that are a lot taller than we are and I had suggested that we take all the natural large players maybe seven footers if we can,” said Guiao.
He said that tall players such as Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Sonny Thoss and Ranidel de Ocampo would be very useful in manning the inside post.
Aside from the size, Guiao said this year’s Team Pilipinas also has the speed.
“We’re not sacrificing height and at the same time we’re not sacrificing quickness. I think we try to provide speed and provide the big man skills that we need. This team can do that,” he said.
Teams to look out for
When asked about foreign competition, Guiao said China remains as the top team in Asia.
“Siyempre ‘yong China, I think you’ll always have to consider China as the top team in Asia,” he said of the country that produced NBA players such as Yao Ming.
Guiao added that the other teams to look out for will be coming from the east such as Iran, Lebanon and Kazakhstan.
“Kazakhstan is going to be there because they’re just big and they’re learning the game a lot faster than everyone else,” he said.
The RP team coach said Korea and Japan will also be among the traditional teams “that will give us problems.”
Not closing the doors
Meanwhile, Guiao said that he is not closing the doors on anyone who wants to join the national team.
He said that some of those who did not make the cut possess real talent on the hardcourt.
“These guys had the chance to work and get themselves into the national team. If they deserve to be in the national team, we will give them a slot in the national team,” said Guiao.
He said they could have their chance next year when the right time comes.
“With the way that they practiced and the attitude that they’ve shown, I think a lot of these guys are gonna be with the national team come May or come September,” Guiao said.
The 14-man Team Pilipinas, composed of Kelly Williams, Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Jayjay Helterbrand, Kerby Raymundo, Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, James Yap, Ryan Reyes, Ranidel de Ocampo, Arwind Santos, Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss, is slated to compete at the Southeast Asian Basketball Association in May 2009.
Guiao also hopes the team could hurdle the 2009 FIBA-Asia for a spot in the 2010 World Basketball Championship in Turkey. - Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS
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