SMART Gilas: Who should stay, go

Andy to Chris: Pare mauna na ako ha.

Following the recent developments within the SMART Gilas fold, team members who have applied for the upcoming 2011 PBA Draft are rumored to be having second thoughts. Guys like Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz who are both being eyed as certain Top 5 draft picks, are mulling withdrawal now that the Gilas program is a lock to continue for another two years.

Rumor has it that there will be an even bigger compensation waiting for these guys including names like Mac Baracael, Andy Barroca and Jason Ballesteros as compared to the PBA's fixed maximum rookie salary of Php 150,000.

But let's breakdown the team as it is. Who should stay on with the program, and who should move on to the PBA (before it's too late)

Stay

JV Casio
There will always be a spot on any team in the PBA for a high IQ, clutch PG like Casio and him playing for Gilas has been nothing but a revelation as he continues to build his credibility and move from long time San Beda/DLSU gunner to a Ronnie Magsanoc 2.0.

Chris Tiu
Yes, I will continue to bash the minutes that this guy receives from the coaching staff. But Tiu's game is definitely built for Toroman's system, and he is the most recognizable face on the line-up that will help put this team over with non-basketball fans. I fear that once he sets foot in the PBA and doesn't end up with an MVP team, that all his flaws will be exposed and that he will suffer a career similar to Gec Chia (one time Ateneo hero, PBA blah).

Mac Baracael
I want Baracael to play for Gilas until the wheels fall off. He plays with Pinoy passion and swagger and has the game to back everything he does (even the sneers) up out on the hardcourt.

Japeth Aguilar
I am a Japeth hater. No, I don't hate him personally. I just hate his game. So much wasted potential spent on trying to dunk everytime down the floor instead of concentrating on the little things that would help make him the most dominant Pinoy big man in years. The only reason I want him to stay with Gilas is so that people around him could make him realize his shortcomings. Once he sets foot on the PBA where the game is faster and more undisciplined, he'd be a superstar with all the dunks and volleyball spike-like blocks (think Rafi Reavis + Marc Pingris combined). Great entertainment, bad for him as a basketball player.

Go


Andy Barroca
Somewhere in the last year and a half, Barroca lost some of his speed and even his starting job to JV Casio. And since this country is full of PGs, Barroca needs to move on while his stock is high and teams like Powerade, Rain or Shine and even Meralco need a starting PG.

Marcio Lassiter
Let's face it, Lassiter will never steal Tiu's spot as the starting two guard and will always be forced to play out of position and asked to defend bigger guys. I say, stop wasting time and head to the PBA to become a legit star.

Chris Lutz
While most observers are quick to point out that Lutz' game is similar to Lassiter's, I beg to disagree. They play the same roles, yes, but Lutz is more spot-up shooter while Lassiter is a more intense, slash to the hoop and play defense player. Lutz is a perfect fit for Alaska where he can fill in the role of a Jojo Lastimosa, Brandon Cablay, and the one vacated by Larry Fonacier.

Jason Ballesteros
Too skinny to play PF for Rajko Toroman. So head to the PBA and give Marc Pingris hell.

Dylan Ababou
Mr. Nice Guy. Well, I don't know what's going on in that head of his, but no one remembers his UAAP MVP season anymore. We haven't seen this guy play in a VERY LONG time which is sad. No, he's not superstar-like, but he does have game. I don't know if it's the added weight, or just the fact that Baracael can do what Ababou can, only faster, better and with more intensity.

What do you think?

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