In today’s generation of basketball where size and brawn are the biggest advantage, Filipinos able to find ways to compete against some of the crack teams in the world.
They were able to do that by negating their height deficiency using an offensive system convenient and more efficient for Pinoys – the dribble drive. Veteran stalwarts Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo are convinced that the dribble drive offense is the most suitable and most useful offensive system that allows small teams like the Philippines to work on its strength and compensate for its weakness in size.
“Oo yun ang bagay sa atin kasi hindi mo naman puwedeng i-set yung play kasi malilit tayo. Kahit naman sinong ilagay mong coach dyan maliliit tayo. Kahit ilagay mo yung pinakamagaling na coach sa FIBA World, palagay ko yun rin gagamitin dahil maliliit tayo. Siguro sa susunod na coach ng Gilas, kailangan niya rin talagang gawan ng paraan kung paano tayo mananalo regardless kung anong opensa o depensa gagawin niya kasi doon babalik lahat eh – maliliit tayo,” said De Ocampo.
De Ocampo believes the next coach of Gilas will have bigger shoes to fill in succeeding Chot Reyes.
“Palagay ko mas magiging mahirap yung susunod na trabaho ng magiging coach, yung pressure, pati na rin yung paano mo ulit maibabalik sa World Cup yung Gilas,” added De Ocampo.
For team captain Jimmy Alapag, who had his final voyage with the national team by playing in the World Cup and the Asian Games a few months ago, shared the same thoughts with De Ocampo.
“From my experience, yes. At least not in the near future. we’re not gonna overpower anybody with our size. I think the dribble drive really allows us to maximize our strength. Even in the PBA today, it’s our speed, quickness that allow us to shoot the basketball. It’s ideal for us,” added Alapag.
