Q: What do I think of the result of the Smart Gilas-Powerade result?
A: For one, the new program of the SBP is in place. Does that mean that the PBA's approach is wrong? Not exactly. They tried to pattern their program after the United States but the thing there is the Americans have the talent and players to get away with that kind of approach. They have the pride. If you saw the five-part feature on the Redeem Team's crusade then people would see the disparity. So we DON'T! For now. Maybe if our pro national team had a different system with a coaching staff that looked at things differently then they might have had different results. But that's an iffy answer.
The reality is we have the Smart Gilas program. They can succeed and they may not. Whatever the end result is years from now, it has to be supported.
Q: Some say that the loss is an indictment of the PBA and could be their death knell. What do you think of that?
A: No. Not even by a longshot. People have short memories and that was one game. And one game unless it is the ultimate benta does not unmake a league. The PBA will live on. It will always be the most popular sports event in the country until the Olympics and the World Cup come over. If ever, it does show the pro loop's pitfalls. These millionaire players lacked the hustle, moxie, and fight despite all their experience. Do I believe that they would have won even if CJ Giles had fouled out? You have got to be kidding me. They would have still lost. I remember one sequence where Mac Baracael drove inside and got hammered. As the former FEU Tam was falling, he yelled, "Foul!" This wasn't the one where Kerby Raymundo was assessed a flagrant foul. It happened several plays before that. As Baracael got ready to shoot free throws, Raymundo and Wynne Arboleda exchanged looks and a few words. "Angas, ha." said Raymundo. And Arboleda had a look of contempt in his face. I thought that there was nothing wrong with what Mac said. Besides players whether in the pros or in the amateurs say that all the time during games. Obviously, they were frustrated and the beating had gotten in their minds. If you play the games or even just watch as an armchair general, you'd know the feeling of calling "foul." What that illustrated was that the young guns marched into their territory -- the Araneta Coliseum has long been the PBA's home -- and took it from them. But the ultimate lesson there was how flawed Powerade's line-up was. You can say that Mick Pennisi, Arwind Santos, Jayjay Helterbrand was missing. Er, so was Gilas that played without RJ Jazul, Rey Guevarra, and Greg Slaughter. And this team collectively practiced only once since many of them were coming of their college ball stints. The pro clubs practice periodically so saying they were not in shape is no excuse. They were run to the ground plain and simple.
Q: So does this mean that Smart Gilas will make it to the Olympics?
A: No, it does not guarantee a slot. Again, what is says is that WE HAVE A PROGRAM. And everything from this point on is geared towards making sure we make it to London. This team will need a few more redwoods if they want to make it. CJ and Japeth aren't enough. Al Ramos and Jason Ballesteros have improved a lot but they are still small compared to the giants out there. But I gotta trust in the program that they know what they are doing. I'm just here to tell their story. Of course, you have to watch out for the crabs. Even now marami yan. Lalo na yung mga iba diyan sa media.
Q: Grabe improvement ng mga players ng Smart Gilas. Who in your opinion improved the most?
A: All of them improved. If you think Dylan Ababou was great with UST, he is even deadlier with Gilas. Iba yung gamit kasi sa kanya with the national team. Coach Pido used Ababou differently because he does not have the parts. That catch and shoot game of Dylan's came to fruition with Gilas. Jayvee Casio has been amazing. His crossover and stutter step is far deadlier. And he hasn't lost anything even if forced to play point guard. He's gained much much more. Imagine if he played for DLSU this year! Wow. So you saw what Mark Barroca is like for Gilas. What you didn't see were those turnovers too such as in their pasting the Philippine Patriots. Rajko Toroman and Chris Tiu spoke with him with regards to the turnovers. Mak just makes those sorts it doesn't mean benta. Incidentally and on another note, the FEU officials aren't too happy with what I wrote and some are cold to me. That's okay. It's nothing personal for me. Maybe for them it is. But they brought it upon themselves. Sabi nga ni Barroca inside the dugout before the Powerade match, "Kung si Eric Salamat naglalaro sa FEU tapos ganyan yung linaro niya (like the two forgettable Finals matches he's had), i-lista mo na yan."
Jason Ballesteros has been improving by leaps and bounds. The whole team really. But the most improved one ---- Mac Baracael. Super super game. Never showed that fighting heart and talent while at FEU. Never. I didn't even think he was a good player. Oks lang. But now... holy crap!
And last night at the Arena during the Gilas-Patriots match, there was a touching and humorous moment when Rey Guevarra arrived in crutches. Even with a game going on, Toroman and the others stood up to embrace the injured forward who suffered a torn ACL in Letran's game last Friday.
Q: Who are the team captains of Smart Gilas?
A: Chris Tiu and Andy Mark Barroca.
Q: Who was the guy that CJ Giles was making signals to on the bench?
A: That was his younger brother Malcolm who is a sophomore at Kansas where he plays for the Jayhawks.
Q: How do we follow the games and adventures of Smart Gilas?
A: Here on Brew of course. Most of what I write about them comes out in Business Mirror too. The only who who regularly follows them is Joey Villar of the Philippine Star. If you follow them, you will appreciate the other collegiate teams. The world isn't Ateneo and the other teams are just as cool and fun to watch as well.
Q: Will Japeth Aguilar sign up with Burger King?
A: If you ask me, no. I understand Lito Alvarez' position and also feel bad for him. But signing up with them came with all sorts of problems from financial to personal. When Japeth opted not to sign up, all sorts of words and threats flew in his and his family's direction killing any hope of reconciliation. It didn't help that Yeng Guiao was heckled him during the Gilas-Powerade match. So give it up, BK and move on. Find something else. Ask for a trade or whatever. And those threats... on what grounds? So the PBA will close ranks on this? Of course. But it shows what they are really.
If you want to read my first pieces on Smart Gilas, here is the link to my month of May when I joined them in Jakarta for the FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup. Enjoy!
REPLAY OF SMART GILAS vs POWERADE PILIPINAS LATER AT 6PM ON BTV. THEN 2AM TOMORROW, OCTOBER 8, THEN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 AT 10PM.
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