I would like to see Stephen Padilla shoot the lights out in the ABL.

Cebu has been producing those insane shooters (among them is Felix Duhig who once made 30 3-point shots in one game).

Unfortunately these shooters often rot on PBA benches due to their inability to perform one-on-one defense.

But let them loose on a FIBA style league, they’ll rack up the numbers.

Let’s hope Cebuanos will unite and finance a team for the ABL (Gokongwei, Lhuillier, etc.)

However, given the basketball culture in Philippines, bringing guys like Pathman, Gunawan, et. al. might deliver the notion that “if we hire these guys as imports (or not), this means that they’re better than our locals,” or, “if we hire these guys, they would think they’re better than Filipino players.” Just taking some reactions when the PBA proposed of hiring Asian imports instead of mostly Americans.

It is certainly a mentality that I hate the most. That’s because over the years, imports in the PBA are hired to become their Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal rolled into one. That means he should score at least 20 points, defend, rebound, and lead the team, which to me is not!

For me, an import should be the person who fills the void on what’s missing within the team. Although in the ASEAN region it’s pretty obvious that every team should need someone who can grab rebounds and a inside threat for other teams. In other words, imports should be hired for a specific role or purpose. Why do you think a guard like JR Holden of CSKA Moscow was hired? That’s because they need a good point guard. Same should be true with Rasheim Wright in Jordan.

So if players like Gunawan, Sitepu, etc. was offered to play in Philippines, it should be because the team need someone to do… Not because they’re from Malaysia, Singapore, or Indonesia were if we hire one of them it means they’re better than Filipinos.

** I have no intention to berate my own heritage or the heritage of others, but reading some articles about that in the past that lacks diversity and open mindness really aggrevates me. So my apologies should I end up offending some people.

btw, the M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños just beat Smart Gilas by 3 today.

i don’t see ABL locals going to Liga Pilipinas. it’s just unthinkable that they can stand playing in rusty province gyms that smell like a Blue Eagle Gym toilet when they’re used to playing in the SG Indoor Stadium or the MABA Stadium.

I hope that Liga Pilipinas will accept ASEAN players as apprentices to improve their level of B-Ball and one the ABL will start, the playing field will be more competitive.

for example: Mandaue Landmasters will take Shee Fai and MisOr Meteors will take Gunawan and Trace-Laguna Stallions(YES this is Gaco’s team) will take some slinger guards and so forth…

http://teampilipinas.info/2010/03/smart-gilas-pilipinas-defeats-cebu.html

the video after the article is part of the 4th quarter between the M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños and the RP National Developmental Team (Smart Gilas) still without an import/naturalization candidate. the Niños signed Jason Dixon for their exhibition series, but Smart Gilas still beat them.

young guns like Hong Wei Jian and Loh Shee Fai are great for the ABL… but would they still be able to compete against young guns with a higher caliber like everyone in Smart Gilas? the video doesn’t even do justice to the Niños (the true definition of local delight). either the Niños or a team who also bankrolls Smart Gilas just might be the next ABL expansion team. judging by the quality of the locals, the ABL needs more players like Lertmalaiporn and Gunawan.