It is no secret that there is some squabbling going on between Philippine Basketball Association team owners Manny V. Pangilinan and Ramon S. Ang. Manny Pangilinan is the team owner of three PBA ballclubs namely the Talk N'Text Tropang Texters, Meralco Bolts, and NLEX Road Warriors. While Ang owns the San Miguel Corporation teams San Miguel Beermen, Star Hotshots, and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. Sometimes, this rivalry affects the formation of Philippine national basketball teams as we are just witnessing anew with Gilas 3.0.
So for the sake of comparison, how could a national team made up of players from the MVP-controlled teams look like against a national team composed of players from all SMC-controlled teams. Let's also take a look at a national team composed of players from teams not officially aligned with the MVP or SMC groups. We only considered players who are eligible to play for the Philippines in official FIBA competitions and did not include the naturalized players.
All-MVP Team
An all-MVP team will be strong at the Guard and forward spots but will only have one legitimate center that has the size to compete internationally, the ageless 6-9 rock Asi Taulava. The team could also feature Asia's best point guard in 2013, Jayson Castro William, combo forwards Ranidel De Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Jay Washington, Nino Canaleta, and Aldrech Ramos, banger Enrico Villanueva, defensive ace Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, combo guard Jared Dillinger, and scoring ace Gary David.
Starting Five
Center: Asi Taulava, 6-9Power Forward: Ranidel De Ocampo, 6-5Small Forward: Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, 6-5Shooting Guard: Larry Fonacier, 6-2Point Guard: Jayson Castro William, 5-11Bench
Center: Enrico Villanueva, 6-5Power Forward: Kelly Williams, 6-7Small Forward: Jay Washington, 6-6Shooting Guard: Jared Dillinger, 6-3Shooting Guard: Gary David, 6-2Point Guard: Kevin Alas, 6-0 Point Guard: Ryan Reyes, 6-0
Reserves
Guards: 6-1 Mark Cardona, 6-0 Jonas Villanueva
All-SMC Team
Aside from size at the center spot, an all-SMC team will be a complete team loaded at all positions. While they have the PBA's most dominant centers in Greg Slaughter and and PBA Season 40 MVP June Mar Fajardo, they also have an elite shooter in Marcio Lassiter, top point guards Alex Cabagnot, Mark Baroca and LA Tenorio, and a trio of athletic forwards in Marc Pingris, Japeth Aguilar, and Arwind Santos.
Starting Five
Center: June Mar Fajardo, 6-10Power Forward: Jean Marc Pingris, 6-4Small Forward: Arwind Santos, 6-4Shooting Guard: Marcio Lassiter, 6-3Point Guard: L.A. Tenorio, 5-8Bench
Center: Greg Slaughter, 7-0Center: Ian Sangalang, 6-7Power Forward: Japeth Aguilar, 6-9Small Forward: Mac Baracael, 6-4Shooting Guard: Chris Lutz, 6-4Shooting Guard: James Yap, 6-3Point Guard: Mark Baroca, 5-9
Reserves
Center: 6-9 Mick PennisiForward: 6-4 Allein MaliksiGuards: 6-0 Alex Cabagnot, 5-9 Justin Melton, 6-0 Peter June SimonAll-PBA Team sans MVP/SMC Players
A national team that will not include players from the MVP and SMC fold will be wanting in height at the center spot manned by 6-7 Sonny Thoss, 6-9 Raymund Almazan, and 6-6 Beau Belga. They will most likely rely heavily on their guard play featuring Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Dondon Hontiveros, Jayvee Casio, and Terrence Romeo.
Starting Five
Center: Sonny Thoss, 6-7Power Forward: Calvin Abueva, 6-1Small Forward: Gabe Norwood, 6-5Shooting Guard: Jeffrei Chan, 6-4Point Guard: Paul Lee, 6-0Bench
Center: Beau Belga, 6-6Center: Raymund Almazan, 6-9Shooting Guard: Dondon Hontiveros, 6-3Shooting Guard: Terrence Romeo, 5-11Point Guard: Jayvee Casio, 5-9 Point Guard: Brian Heruela, 5-11 Point Guard: RR Garcia, 5-11
