The Biggest Two SNUBS from the Best PH Team Assembled

(c) PBA Media Bureau

The player pool for the last window of the qualifier for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2018 is set.

For our guard positions, we have Jayson Castro, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle. Alex Cabagnot, Ricci Rivero and LA Tenorio.

Forming our wing rotation are Matthew Wright, Marcio Lassiter, Scottie Thompson, Gabe Norwood, Troy Rosario and Arwind Santos.

And of course, the deepest and biggest frontline pool in the history of the country, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, June Mar Fajardo, Beau Belga, Poy Erram, Ian Sangalang, Kai Sotto and Christian Standhardinger.

I love the inclusion of Kai Sotto. If they will not let him go to Europe, they should treat him like one of the best young players in the country and let him practiced and play with the pros.

There is no doubt that the supply is the deepest ever but I think, not including these two players was a mistake.

ANDRAY BLATCHE
If you have read the news, it is becoming clearer that the primary reason why Andray is out of the pool is to push for an All-Filipino team. And I think, that is wrong.

It is true that it will be much sweeter if we win something with an All-Filipino line-up. But, that will not reduce the value of the victory.

Not playing All-Filipino should not reduce the patriotism and nationalism of the team because the Filipino-blooded players out there in the court are fighting for us.

And at the end of the day, Blatche is the best baller who can play for our national team. And he will not play.

BOBBY RAY PARKS
Parks is one of the top 20 Filipino players who are available for the upcoming FIBA window. I know that a lot of you are already tired of waiting for him to join the pro ranks. But that doesn't diminish his skill level.

You can say that he is overrated now because he has not played in the PBA. But once he is there, you will realize how good and historical his talent level is for the country.

His plethora of skills is as vast as that of Stanley Pringle. Parks is even more dependable on the defensive end.

His defensive prowess alone should be enough to consider him for the pool because all of the guards in the list are an average defender, at best.


At the end of the day, coach Yeng Guiao has made his decision. And his decision to not include Parks and Blatche was a mistake.