(c) PBA Media Bureau
Our Philippine national basketball team has a week left before they play Qatar, February 21, and Kazakhstan, February 24. To avoid any complication, they need to win both games to advance to the World Cup in 2019.
The 12 players that will comprise this crucial window will come out of the pool of Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, JP Erram, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Raymond Almazan, Thirdy Ravena, Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson.
Out of those fourteen players, two should be cut.
Who should it be?
Thirdy Ravena
I think this is an easy one. Although I am intrigued about the athleticism of Ravena, I do not think that is enough reason to give him the nod over the more experienced and skilled PBA players.
It could have been a different story if Thirdy has shown a more consistent shot from the outside. The combination of his physique, athleticism and shooting could be a great addition to the team.
Paul Lee
The second one is pretty tough.
I consider Scottie Thompson because of his lack of shooting from the outside but he is the best defensive guard in the pool. His elite nose for rebounds can also be a good weapon to throw to our opponents.
Roger Pogoy was also a consideration but again, his defensive value outweighs the difference between Lee's offensive value and Pogoy's. With Jayson Castro, Andray Blatche and June Mar Fajardo, ball-dominant players like Lee, will not thrive that much.
Mark Barroca was the final option because of his size and erratic shooting. But he is a proven quarterback on the international stage and his disruptive defense is a nice touch to add to the team.
Overall, choosing Lee to be cut is more about forming the best 12 players that coach Yeng can maximize. Lee is more skilled than several of the players in the final 12 but in terms of fit, those players should be there over him.
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