As a longtime observer of Philippine basketball, I've been closely tracking Team Gilas Pilipinas' journey this season, and I must confess—I'm both excited and concerned about what lies ahead. Having covered their games for over a decade, I've seen how this team tends to oscillate between brilliant performances and frustrating setbacks. This season presents what I believe to be their most critical test yet, particularly given the evolving landscape of international basketball where traditional powerhouses are no longer the only threats.
The recent inclusion of players like Palanca brings an interesting dynamic to the team's preparation. While Palanca admits he's familiar with NU's system, the Agusan Del Norte native knows things have already changed since he last trained at Jhocson. Still, he plans to use that knowledge as an edge. This situation mirrors what the entire team is facing—familiar systems that have evolved, requiring adaptation while leveraging existing knowledge. From my perspective, this balancing act between tradition and innovation will define their season more than any single game outcome.
Looking at their schedule, the numbers tell a challenging story. They're facing at least seven top-20 ranked teams in the next three months, with back-to-back games against Japan and Korea that could make or break their tournament aspirations. What worries me personally is their shooting percentage from beyond the arc—hovering around 32% in their last five international appearances. That's simply not going to cut it against teams like Australia, who consistently shoot above 38% from three-point range. I've always believed that international basketball rewards shooting efficiency more than athleticism, and this is where Gilas needs immediate improvement.
Their defensive rotations have shown promise, but the consistency isn't there yet. I recall watching their recent match against Lebanon where they allowed 15 offensive rebounds in the second half alone. That kind of defensive lapse against better teams would be catastrophic. Having analyzed game footage from their last tournament, I noticed they're particularly vulnerable to pick-and-roll situations, conceding approximately 42 points per game from such plays. This isn't just a statistic—it's a pattern that opposing coaches will undoubtedly exploit.
The coaching staff, led by Tim Cone, brings tremendous experience, but I'm concerned about their ability to make in-game adjustments. In their last major tournament, they used only about 65% of their available timeouts effectively, often waiting too long to address momentum shifts. From where I sit, this hesitation stems from having too many new pieces in the rotation—players who haven't fully internalized the system yet. It reminds me of the 2019 team that struggled early but eventually found their rhythm, though that process took nearly eight games.
What gives me hope, honestly, is their recent performance in the fourth quarter of close games. They've won 4 of their last 5 contests decided by 5 points or less, showing a resilience we haven't seen since the 2015 squad. This mental toughness could be their secret weapon, especially when combined with home court advantage during the Manila leg of qualifications. The crowd support at Mall of Asia Arena typically gives them a 5-7 point boost according to my calculations, though some analysts dispute this figure.
Player development has been impressive in certain areas. Third-year guard Ramos has increased his scoring average from 8.2 to 14.7 points per game while maintaining his defensive intensity. However, the big man rotation remains my biggest concern—they're giving up too much size against European and American teams. When I spoke with coaching staff members informally last month, they acknowledged this limitation but emphasized their strategy of using speed to counter height disadvantages. I'm not entirely convinced this approach will work against teams with multiple seven-footers.
The international basketball landscape has shifted dramatically since the last Olympic cycle. Teams that used to be pushovers now feature NBA-developed talent and sophisticated systems. Gilas can't rely on raw talent alone anymore—they need strategic sophistication that matches their opponents. From what I've seen in their training sessions, they're working on implementing more motion offense and switching defenses, but the execution still needs work. It typically takes about 40-50 games for teams to fully integrate such systems, and Gilas simply hasn't had that much time together.
Financial support has improved significantly, with the basketball federation allocating approximately $2.3 million specifically for international preparation this year. This should allow for better training facilities and more exposure games, though I question whether it's being deployed optimally. In my opinion, they should have scheduled more games against European teams rather than sticking to Asian opponents who don't challenge their weaknesses sufficiently.
As the season progresses, I believe their success will hinge on three key factors: three-point shooting efficiency, defensive rebounding, and bench production. If they can push their shooting percentage to at least 36%, limit opponents to under 10 offensive rebounds per game, and get 25+ points from their second unit, they have a genuine chance to surprise people. These might sound like ambitious targets, but from what I've observed throughout my career covering international basketball, these are the margins that separate good teams from great ones.
The journey won't be easy, and I suspect we'll see some frustrating losses along the way. But having watched this program evolve over the years, I'm cautiously optimistic that they have the pieces to overcome their biggest challenges. It will require patience from fans and strategic brilliance from the coaching staff, but the potential for a breakthrough season is undoubtedly there. What encourages me most is the players' apparent recognition of both their limitations and their capabilities—that self-awareness could be their ultimate advantage when facing adversity.