Midterm Gilas grades
FOSHAN, China — Nobody seems to be happy over the performance of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup here.
I mean, it’s good that they’re here, but it’s not good that they were blown out by an average of 52.5 points by Italy and Serbia.
In contrast, the national team had a net point differential of -4.2 during the previous World Cup in Spain five years ago.
Still, we’ll support and cheer our team in China.
Perez has been the most pleasant surprise so far.
It’s been a rough first two games, but miraculously, the team can still qualify to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics or at least any of the Olympic qualifying tourneys next year.
For now, let’s look at our roster and break down the impact of each Gilas player.
June Mar Fajardo: Grade B+
Fajardo is the team’s most efficient player so far, averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54.5 percent from the field.
He held his ground against bigger frontliners from Italy and Serbia, and although his level is still quite far from the likes of Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic or Miroslav Raduljica, we can say at least that he can play on the same stage as them.
CJ Perez: Grade A
Perez has been the most pleasant surprise so far.
He looked good every time he’s on the floor as he competed with a lot of energy. But more importantly, he has been very effective.
He leads the team with 15.5 points per game in only 19.5 minutes of play while shooting 56.5 percent from the field, including 50 percent from behind the arc.
Andray Blatche: Grade C+
Gilas’ big naturalized player has been much maligned. But objectively speaking, he’s our third most efficient player here in Foshan.
Of course, we expected much more from him and his last game against Serbia, where he tallied five points and four rebounds wasn’t the most flattering performance.
Paul Lee: Grade B
Lee is a fighter and he has shown here in his second World Cup appearance.
He had a bad game against Italy, but he bounced back really well against Serbia, dropping 15 points despite missing all his three-balls.
At 30 years old, Lee is probably playing in his final World Cup, too, but he’s surely making the most out of it.
Japeth Aguilar: Grade C
I had such high expectations on Aguilar, especially after his improved play in the PBA. He, however, had somehow struggled, especially given the physicality of Italy and Serbia.
I suspect he will do much better against Angola and the last two opponents in the classification. But for now, he has, quite frankly, been underwhelming. Troy Rosario: Grade C+
I have to take Troy’s context into consideration. Here’s a guy who was slotted as a four or five back home and now he’s suddenly playing the three spot against world-class wingmen or returning to four against much bigger and more mobile forwards.
He seems out of his depth at this level and he has attempted just one three-pointer in two games.
Well, the goods news is that he has only one turnover.
Robert Bolick: Grade B
Like Perez, Bolick has been the Filipinos’ darling here.
He gives up anywhere between four to five inches to the guys he was tasked to defend, but still find ways to make an impact.
He hasn’t shot too well (just 30 percent from the field), but his energy and fearlessness have been infectious. He’s also flawless from the line after connecting all of his charities.
Mark Barroca: Grade C
The Magnolia floor general played all of six minutes in the Italy game and didn’t see action against Serbia.
I suspect he will play major minutes against Angola, but the 33-year-old also seems like he’s really overmatched at this level. He may also be nursing an injury hampering his explosiveness.
RR Pogoy: Grade C
Pogoy may actually be our only “pure” shooter on this team, though that may even be a bit debatable.
He’s Gilas’ main “three-and-D” guy, but he just hasn’t really delivered on either aspect. It’s been a real struggle for him going up against Marco Belinelli, Marko Guduric, and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
The quality is just far apart.
Gabe Norwood: Grade C
This is Gabe’s final World Cup, and I’m sad seeing him go out like this.
He had some amazing moments in 2014, but it seems Father Time has caught up with him despite still looking quite youthful. Objectively, he seems a step slower on those rotations, and his shots have been flat.
I hate seeing one of the most likable Gilas guys play like this, but it is what it is.
Raymond Almazan: Grade C
Many people shook their heads when Almazan made the roster, but remember that he replaced JP Erram, who was sidelined by injury.
I give props to Almazan for taking on that unenviable task, and, well, he’s really had to face much tougher competition than he’s used to here in China. He hasn’t done much in 15 total minutes, but his heart is in the right place.
Kiefer Ravena: Grade C
I love seeing my former student play with some of the best talents in the world, but I cringe a bit at the impact he’s made.
The 5.0 points per game is actually quite commendable, though the 2.5 turnovers per game and the 21.4 percent field goal shooting have offset his scoring.
Still, after all the setbacks he’s been through, Ravena’s energy out there has been nice.
Like Perez, Bolick has been the Filipinos’ darling here.