Wish list for Gilas 12

There were nine common players in the rosters of the Philippine basketball team that played at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships, the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the 2014 Asian Games. They were Jimmy Alapag, L. A. Tenorio, Jeff Chan, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, JuneMar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Marc Pingris.

Others who suited up in one or two of those tournaments were Jayson Castro (2013 FIBA Asia, 2014 FIBA World Cup), Larry Fonacier (2013 FIBA Asia), Andray Blatche (2014 FIBA World Cup), Marcus Douthit (2013 FIBA Asia, 2014 Asian Games), Jared Dillinger (2014 Asian Games) and Paul Lee (2014 FIBA World Cup, 2014 Asian Games).

Additionally, Douthit played on the Gilas Cadets squad that took the gold medal at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. His teammates were Keifer Ravena, Troy Rosario, Scottie Thompson, Baser Amer, Glenn Khonuntin, Almond Vosotros, Norbert Torres, Mac Belo, Jiovani Jalolon, Kevin Ferrer and Prince Rivero.

Any day now, the SBP and PBA will announce the composition of the new Gilas pool for the FIBA Asia Championships in Changsha, Hunan, China, on Sept. 23-Oct. 3. For sure, coach Tab Baldwin has a wish list but he’s not sharing it with anyone. Baldwin said he won’t push for any player who is restrained from joining Gilas for whatever reason. He’ll work with whomever is placed at his disposal by the SBP and PBA. The ideal scenario is for each PBA team to allow at least two from its lineup for the Gilas pool. But if that’s not possible, Baldwin isn’t going to bang his head against the wall. As Baldwin said, his approach is to build, not destroy, bridges.

While it’s expected the pool will include shoo-ins, nobody from the previous rosters is a sacred cow. If there’s a player who has shone brightly in the last PBA season and deserves a look, he should be called up. No incumbent is guaranteed to be retained.

At the coming FIBA Asia Championships, host China will be out for redemption behind NBA veteran Yi Jianlian. China lost a 96-78 decision to Chinese-Taipei in the quarterfinals of the 2013 edition and settled for fifth place after beating Qatar, 96-85. Iran and the Philippines finished 1-2 in the tournament. Lebanon didn’t play in 2013 because its federation was suspended by FIBA but in Changsha, the Cedars will be back with a vengeance. South Korea, fresh from winning the basketball gold at the Asian Games, is another title contender. Defending champion Iran and Jordan, with coach Rajko Toroman, are also formidable. Only the winner will be given an automatic ticket to represent Asia at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The second and third placers will be invited to join an Olympic qualifying tournament a month before the Olympics but that will mean battling countries from the Americas, Oceania, Europe and Africa.

Because the competition will be stiff in Changsha, Baldwin can’t afford to bring over a team of half-hearted players. He’s got to be armed with battle-ready warriors who won’t consider losing an option.

Without pre-empting the pool to be announced by the SBP and PBA, here are 15 players in my own list.

First is naturalized player Andray Blatche. The good news is he’s come to terms on a new contract with Gilas. Blatche, 28, has played in nine NBA seasons and was the leading rebounder, second top scorer and most efficient player at the FIBA World Cup last year. He recently signed a three-year contract to play as an import in the Chinese league with no NBA out-clause. What Blatche showed in Spain last year was his willingness to play his guts out for Gilas, game after game.

Second is back-to-back PBA MVP JuneMar Fajardo who’s only 25. He has matured as a player since Spain and will be ready to face off against the likes of Yi and Hamed Haddadi in Changsha. Fajardo and Blatche could form a Twin Towers combination that will be hard to suppress.

Third is Talk ‘N’ Text’s Ranidel de Ocampo, the PBA’s No. 1 stretch forward. Because of his incredible range, RDO can play the three spot with Fajardo at No. 5 and Blatche at No. 4. That frontline will be tough for any team to handle.

Fourth is Asia’s No. 1 point guard Jayson Castro. Although the Texters failed to make it to the playoffs in the recent PBA Governors Cup, Castro ended the season on a positive note. He sat out the first three games of the conference then stormed back to average 19.1 points with a high of 34. Castro ranked second in scoring for the season with an 18.04 clip.

Fifth is Rain Or Shine combo guard Paul Lee. There is absolutely no doubt that ice water runs in the clutch player’s veins. At the FIBA Asia Cup last year, the Lethal Weapon buried three straight free throws with no time left to lift Gilas to an 80-79 win over host China for third place. Lee is a threat beyond the arc and a rugged defender, too.

Sixth is Rain Or Shine sharpshooter Jeff Chan whose deadly sniping is key in Gilas’ dribble-drive offense as a kick-out option. Chan finished the PBA season with 21 points in a semifinal loss to San Miguel Beer.

Seventh is Rain Or Shine’s all-purpose mainstay Gabe Norwood. Mr. President will always be remembered for posterizing Argentina’s Luis Scola at the FIBA World Cup last year. But more than that, Norwood is a steadying influence on the floor. His ability to defend players of any size or position is a huge plus.

Eighth is Star Hotshots’ power forward Marc Pingris. If there’s anyone who personifies Puso, it’s Pingris. He plays beyond his height and doesn’t mind mixing it up against bigger boys under the boards. Pingris is tough as nails and his grit is an inspiration to his teammates.

Ninth is Barangay Ginebra guard L. A. Tenorio who doesn’t back down from anyone, big or small. The former Ateneo star was MVP at the 2012 Jones Cup where he hit 20 points in Gilas’ 76-75 win over the US for the gold medal. That win enshrined Chot Reyes as the only Filipino coach ever to bag a Jones Cup championship.

Tenth is San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter. He’s the ultimate floor spacer. Super Marcio can light it up from the outside in a snap. It’s difficult to stop Lassiter because of his quick and almost instinctive release. He’s familiar with the international style and will be a potent weapon at either No. 2 or No. 3.

Eleventh is Talk ‘N’ Text’s Kelly Williams. The PBA 2007-08 MVP is a no-frills inside defender and a ferocious rebounder. If he’s healthy, Williams deserves a spot on the roster. He has the ability to make life difficult for any post player.

Lastly, there has to be slot for the PBA’s leading scorer Terrence Romeo who averaged 19.7 points for Globalport this past season. Romeo has incredible talent and skills. The challenge is for Romeo to play within Baldwin’s system. To fill up the 15-man pool, the reserves could be the Hotshots’ point guard Mark Barroca, NLEX center Asi Taulava and Alaska center Sonny Thoss. Who are your picks?