The Young Gilas Pilipinas Side is Still a Work in Progress

As Princess Shuri said it, "Just because something works doesn't mean it can't be improved,"

Clearly, that quote is applicable to the current state of Gilas Pilipinas. 

Sure, the national team continued on their mastery over the Rajko Toroman-coached Indonesian team as they scored another 30-point win against the Indonesians to open their schedule of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. Sure, most of the young players in Mark Dickel's 12-man line up showed up and put up a great show. Sure, they did it without a naturalized player or some of the best players in the PBA today. Sure, they dominated almost every category in the game but that doesn't mean that Gilas Pilipinas doesn't have flaws in their road game against Indonesia. It may look like a perfectly-won game partly due to the big margin but there are a few flaws that Gilas should work out for them to furthermore improve in the next games of the Asia Cup qualifiers.

For starters, keep in mind that Indonesia was in fact, playing with a depleted team as they missed the services of their naturalized player, Lester Prosper, and Indonesian-American, Brandon Jawato. Despite this, the visitors found no answers to Andakara Dhyaksa who did most of his damage in the first half when Indonesia was within 9 points. Dhyaksa managed to finish the game with 28 points on 10 for 21 field goal shooting. And with a depleted line-up, the Indonesians managed to pull within 4 points with 3 minutes still to spare in the third quarter but that was their last stand. 

Another thing that Gilas needs to work? Too much fouling. 

Against the Indonesians last Sunday, Gilas committed 26 personal fouls including an unsportsmanlike foul on Thirdy Ravena in the third quarter. Those 26 Gilas fouls led to 23 free throw attempts for the home team, making 20 of them. On the other side, Indonesia was the more disciplined one on fouling as they only committed 17 fouls from which the Filipinos went 16 for 22 from the free-throw line. 

But the most important thing that Gilas Pilipinas needs to work on from this point on, learning the system of Mark Dickel better. That is according to Thirdy Ravena who had 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks against Indonesia. He also added that it's up to the young players who will remain with the National Team program to understand Dickel's system before the next window.

Fortunately, the next window of the Asia Cup qualifiers is slated in November this year which gives the young core more time to understand the system of Mark Dickel better. That if Dickel will be retained as head coach. 

Photo is from FIBA