Who should get an invite for Smart Gilas II

With Philippine basketball godfather Manny V. Pangilinan promising to continue with the SMART Gilas national basketball team program and the renewed trust/ cooperation between Team MVP and some members of Team San Miguel Corporation (namely Noli Eala who played a role in Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter's clearance in the FIBA-Asia tournament where Gilas finished 4th), there should be no reason for us not to field in the best players in the land. Not with the Philippine Basketball Association, under commissioner Chito Salud, also set on forming a 16-man pool for the job.

So for fun, let's build a SMART Gilas 2 team with pros and amateurs and go four deep at each position

PG

Jayson Castro

A no brainer and arguably the best attack guard in the PBA. He also plays pitbull-like defense and steals the ball from napping opponents (ask the NBA's Chris Paul)

Ryan Reyes

I've always argued that for his size, Reyes is the ideal Filipino PG for international plays. He is a power point that comes complete with rebounding instincts and a sweet set shot from deep.

Chris Banchero

Though he's a virtual unknown this side of the globe and was injured while playing in college, Banchero is Ryan Reyes minus the defensive intensity but with more to offer on the offensive end. Also, he's bound to give Chris Tiu a contest for the ladies with his matinee idol looks.

Keifer Ravena

The Phenom. Either he learns to play PG and make that gigantic leap and lead us to the promise land, or be stuck at SG wherein he'll be outmatched by bigger opponents and made to look like a fool.

SG

Marcio Lassiter

He's young and fiery, and as much as I've been comparing him to Raja Bell, maybe the better NBA star would be New Orleans' Trevor Ariza- minus the insane hops of course.

Chris Lutz

Mr. Efficiency. Should've been utilized more by head coach Rajko Toroman for Gilas, instead his minutes had to be split with...

Chris Tiu

You can't have SMART Gilas, backed by MVP, without Tiu. You just can't. It's in the bible.

SF

Arwind Santos

Best damn player in the country should be a no brainer. Hope that Toroman could convince him to play   efficiently rather than just jacking up threes like he did the first time out though.

Jay Washington

He's a choker and has solid basketball IQ and athleticism. He doesn't play defense as good as Santos, but when given a specific role on offense, J-Wash is usually able to deliver.

Jarred Dillinger

Free this man from Talk 'n' Text and give him his damn minutes. He can handle the basketball and score, I doubt that he can play a lick of defense, but I believe in Dillinger's passion for the game and wanting to win.

Rayray Parks Jr.

Build for the future. I've seen his game, and it's all athleticism at this point. Ravena's more polished as a two-guard, but give Parks someone to train him or battle day-in and day-out, and I'm pretty sure he's going to be a beast just like his dad.

PF

Kelly Williams

The best complement to big man Marcus Douthit bar-none. Williams' best attribute despite being a streaky shooter and complete wash at the free throw line is that he fights for everything on the floor.

Joe DeVance

Not as passionate or fiery as Williams, but leaps and bounds better offensively. Think Amboy Ranidel de Ocampo and you pretty much have JDV.

Sonny Thoss

Thoss should be used exclusively as an enforcer. He has a solid set shot and knows how to use his height in the paint.

Arnold Van Opstal

I say any Filipino player playing in the Philippines who stands 6"7 and up should be part of the National Team and trained. Hard. Opstal included.

C

Marcus Douthit

When will the wheels fall off for Douthit who's now 31? Will he still be this effective and why are we still not looking for a Plan B?

Greg Slaughter

I hope that if Slaughter is brought in to Gilas, that Norman Black be asked to tutor him daily.

Junmar Fajardo

See Optsal.

Asi Taulava

He'll be 40 by the time the next FIBA tournament comes in, but I will never say anything bad about Asi who has worn our national colors and done as proud time and again.

Who do you feel should be part of Gilas 2?

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