Gilas Pilipinas is one of two teams in the bracket that swept the competition in the first window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers for Asia. The other is Australia. The two clash in Melbourne on Feb. 22.
The odds are Australia has the edge over Gilas Pilipinas in this matchup as they handled Chinese Taipei 104-66, on November 24 in Taipei with five players finishing in double figures. Australia led in the game by as much as 40 points. Australia on Nov. 27 hosted Japan and cruised 82-58.
In contrast, the Philippines also beat the same teams with a 77-71 squeaker over Japan in Tokyo and an equally close 90-83 triumph over Chinese Taipei at the Big Dome three days later.
Looking at the scores, it's pretty obvious that Australia is the monster in Group B.
And while the saying goes "bilog ang bola" (the ball is round, referring to the act that anything can happen in a basketball game), it will take a lot to topple the Boomers-especially in front of a raucous crowd at the Margaret Court Arena on Feb. 22.
Australia has long dominated the competition in the FIBA Oceania before that region was dissolved to have the Boomers and Tall Blacks (New Zealand's national men's basketball team) join the FIBA Asia zone. If the recent FIBA Asia Cup is any indication, Australia is set to become the giant that all, including New Zealand and erstwhile powerhouses China and Iran, will be looking to take down.
But how does anyone take down Australia, the fourteen-time Olympic qualifiers? The Boomers haven't even assembled their best lineup yet as eight members are still playing in the NBA.
Imagine if leading NBA Rookie of the Year candidate Ben Simmons joins forces with NBA champions Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova. What if Boston Celtics pivot Arron Baynes, Milwaukee Bucks' tour de force Thon Maker, and the Utah Jazz pair of Joe Ingles and Dante Exum, finally decide to play for flag and country in the upcoming third window in July after they're done with their NBA obligations? How about the Australians seeing action in Europe and elsewhere overseas?
The present lineup is already strong enough to rout its first window opponents:
2 Nathan SOBEY, 27 6'4" SG (Adelaide 36ers)
3 Cameron GLIDDON, 28 6'5" SG(Cairns Taipans)
4 Chris GOULDING, 29 6'4" SG (Melbourne United)
5 Jason CADEE, 26, 6'1" PG (Sydney Kings)
7 Nick KAY, 25, 6'9" PF/C (Illawara Haweks)
8 Brad NEWLEY, 32, 6'6" SG/SF (Sydney Kings)
9 Mitch McCARRON, 6'2" PG/SG (Cairns Taipans)
10 Matt HODGSON, 26 6'11" C (Adelaide 36ers)
12 Daniel KICKERT, 34 6'10" PF/C (Brisbane Bullets)
14 Angus BRANDT, 28, 6'10" C (Perth Wildcats)
18 Jesse WAGSTAFF, 31 6'8" SF/PF (Perth Wildcats)
55 Mitch CREEK, 25 6'5" SG/SF (Adelaide 36ers)
Head Coach: Andrej LEMANIS
Assistant Coaches: Luc Longley & Adam Caporn
All the present members come from the National Basketball League (NBL) which is presently in season and (like the PBA) will take a break to accommodate players suiting up or the national team. In essence, this is the same lineup that was fielded for the first window with only point guard Damian Martin out and rebounding monster Lucas Walker out of the roster due to injuries. This leaves the Boomers with only two legitimate playmakers in Cadee and McCarron (who is actually more known or his shooting than his orchestrating). Filling Martin's shoes will be Wagstaff who is returning to the national team after missing the first window due to an undisclosed injury.
Wagstaff fortifies an already vertically superior frontline that is composed of quick and agile pagodas which also includes the return of budding project Mitch Hodgson; the tallest of the present Boomers squad at 6-foot-11.
The man to mark is Daniel Kickert who shot a combined 7-for-9 on 3-pointers in the two first window matches-including a 4-for-4 performance against Japan in Adelaide last November. Kickert thrives off screens. Cadee can also surprise defenses by pulling up for deep shots. The Philippines' perimeter defenders will be tested. It is said that there's a reason why they called the Boomers.
Despite the obvious height advantages, Australia is better known for their offensive execution than their abilities to rebound and defend the interior. The Boomers only amassed four blocks in the first two assignments and were hardly challenged inside due to lack of inside presences (Quincy Davis III for Chinese Taipei and the Takeuchi/Ota combo for Japan). The Gilas' frontline cast of June Mar Fajardo (6-10), Japeth Aguilar (6-9), a trimmer Andray Blatche (6-11) and the return of Troy Rosario (6-7) could exploit a weakness in Australia's inside game.
The Boomers' offense goes through Cadee and usually ends up with Kickert, with McCarron, Giddon, and Goulding ready to shoot from outside as well. Brandt will be the primary option inside, but if Blatche takes him out of his game, Australia will have to demand more offense from utility bigs, Hodgson and Kay. The key for the Gilas will be the play of their bigs.
The addition in the Gilas pool of "23 for 23" candidates CJ Perez, Robert Bolick, Jr., and Abu Tratter is intriguing but with Raymond Almazan, Calvin Abueva, and Terrence Romeo removed from this window's list, the addition of any of those collegiate stars will demonstrate the Gilas coaching staff may be looking to use their energy to offset Australia's natural physical advantages.
And while a sweep of the group stages is not exactly on the mind of the Gilas coaching staff, dealing Australia their first loss since joining the Asian zone would send a message to the rest of the region. It is attainable, despite the "apparent" homecourt disadvantage.
It is interesting to note that Melbourne has one of the largest Filipino populations in Australia and it wouldn't be surprising to see both teams evenly supported on the Feb. 22.
Bilog ang bola.