This is the unedited version of my interview with Tab, (from questions i gathered from IBN) , the interview might still be edited for correctness. (Accuracy of transcription from voice recording) , so if I may ask please don't copy or quote contents for now. Additionally the final version after editing may come out in main stream media ( e.g. Philstar and InterAsksyon) , good night everyone !
DP : : I guess must be great being back with the family in NZ:
TAB: It is , being away for so long and coming back and spending time with them is great
DP: How do you find it generally working in the Philippines, with the difference in culture and how people work, is it different from NZ ?
TAB: it’s different from NZ obviously , but a similar work ethic. I’ve worked in different countries that are similar they have a different way of doing things. but they have a very good work ethic . enjoyable people to work with , but very good work ethic
DP : I read your interview with Qunito Henson on Philstar this morning , a lot of question I had from the forum prepared, you already addressed with Qunito.. Such as the offensive and defensive approach, emphasis to use speed , captilizing on our quickness “guard oriented the same advantages the DDO uses to its advantage.
DP: 1st question: Assuming Andray Blatche played for us for FIBA Asia 2015 , would you use him playing more of a 4 (Power Forward) or as a 5 (Center)?
Tab
He has to play both really, he plays offensively as a 4 , but he plays defensively primary as a 5, to take advantage of his strength defensively he’s best used as a 5 on defense. Which is a big asset as a defensive 5. But again your question “If”Blatche plays for us is phrased correctly, at this point we don’t know if he will play for us, that type of conjecture is a little bit premature. I would rather talk about what an import (naturalised player) will do when he is already playing for us. We don’t know if he will play for us or if he will come back and play for us. If he doesn’t , we will have to look elsewhere. I understand people curiosity on certain players like (Blatche, Junmar) . but so much of the questions you know, don’t hold a lot of validity. People read too much into the answers and statements. We are so in the dark right now of how the team is going to look like when it is selected. It just creates a lot of conversation that is pointless
DP : (speaking of looking elsewhere) is getting someone like Jordan Clarkson (an ineligible natural born local as our naturalised player an option?
Tab: I don’t know who Jordan Clarkson is, who is he?
DP: (laughing) Who is Jordan Clarkson” he’s playing for the Lakers. He has Filipino roots trough his mom, but because he acquired his Philippine passport after 16, he wouldn’t pass as an unrestricted local player but would need to take up the naturalisation spot. But the thing about him is he’s a guard 6’5 “ Might not be your ideal choice for an import (naturalised player)?
Tab: The Philippines is naturally short in height. So we probably won’t make that selection (getting a naturalised guard) , there are very few 6’10 filipinos. We won’t be entertaining the option of using our naturalised spot on a guard.
DP: Speaking about guards, Point guards to be specific, what is your preference and priority , do you want more a scoring point guard is that important or is it more important and a necessity to have a pass 1st point guard (someone who orchestrates ) ?
TAB: Fortunately with the Philippines we have the luxuary of having both kinds, (scoring guards) and pass 1st guards. So I think we will have a mix. I would envision that some of our PG options would be, hmm I don’t want to say score 1st PG, but have that ability. And others would be more court generals. We will look at both , we will use different combinations that make the team better, depending on certain situations and scenarios. Within the national team you usually have the luxuary of versatility , especially in the Philippines because of the depth of our guards. We will be looking at a diverse number of guards and diverse skill set across the roster.
DP: How about the option of using a big point guard like Gabe . like for some stretches. Is that an option?
TAB: Well Chot used Gabe as a PG, and I think there could be certain scenarios where that would be a preferred option . You know, having some wing players in the roster (Gabe) who can also play point is a luxuary. Something we will consider in our selection. That gives us more options, Gabe is probably a good example who probably will be there. As a guy who can play a little of point. Given certain scenarios.
DP: In the article written by Quniito Henson it was mentioned “quoting from you” that we are unlikely to get young players for the FIBA Asia 2015. Is it however a possibility to get young players (none PBA players) college for at least the pool ?
TAB: I didn’t say it was unlikely that we would get young players. I said that we would not have a policy of getting young players for simply for the sake of having youth for the team. That is the correct statement .
DP : Oh is that’s what you meant.
Tab: We're not going to go out and recruit young players simply to inject youth in the team, were going to try to select the players to win FIBA Asia. If some young players happen to be capable of playing at this level ( FIBA Asia) then they have every opportunity of making the team, being selected.
DP : [COLOR="#0000FF"]It’s really great that your eventually the head coach of the team, I’m really looking forward to things
[/COLOR]
TAB: Well it’s a huge challenge, It’s still sometime away before we actually prepare. I’m currently focus on Talk and text right now, do my job there and hope they make the next step forward. It’s a great opportunity to work with Gilas. I’m employed by some great people, I like working for them. As I have for the last couple of summers. You know having the role as head coach is really exciting !
DP: Good to know, so do I take it that you’re staying as consultant with TNT for the next conference ?:
TAB: Seems to be that way, yup I will be back working with them when I get back, unless something changes. My colleague Josh is a very good proponent of the DDO and Nash I believe is running it as well. they’re good coaches They’re extremely passionate and enthusiastic guys Hopefully we can grab a player from here (NZ) and bring him over.
DP: Yeah I think Josh has already a player in mind, the same player he looked at when he was last here. I’m talking about his collegiate team FEU though
P.S. Tab and I are working on getting a player to try out for Gilas ( identity not disclosed)
DP : : I guess must be great being back with the family in NZ:
TAB: It is , being away for so long and coming back and spending time with them is great
DP: How do you find it generally working in the Philippines, with the difference in culture and how people work, is it different from NZ ?
TAB: it’s different from NZ obviously , but a similar work ethic. I’ve worked in different countries that are similar they have a different way of doing things. but they have a very good work ethic . enjoyable people to work with , but very good work ethic
DP : I read your interview with Qunito Henson on Philstar this morning , a lot of question I had from the forum prepared, you already addressed with Qunito.. Such as the offensive and defensive approach, emphasis to use speed , captilizing on our quickness “guard oriented the same advantages the DDO uses to its advantage.
DP: 1st question: Assuming Andray Blatche played for us for FIBA Asia 2015 , would you use him playing more of a 4 (Power Forward) or as a 5 (Center)?
Tab
He has to play both really, he plays offensively as a 4 , but he plays defensively primary as a 5, to take advantage of his strength defensively he’s best used as a 5 on defense. Which is a big asset as a defensive 5. But again your question “If”Blatche plays for us is phrased correctly, at this point we don’t know if he will play for us, that type of conjecture is a little bit premature. I would rather talk about what an import (naturalised player) will do when he is already playing for us. We don’t know if he will play for us or if he will come back and play for us. If he doesn’t , we will have to look elsewhere. I understand people curiosity on certain players like (Blatche, Junmar) . but so much of the questions you know, don’t hold a lot of validity. People read too much into the answers and statements. We are so in the dark right now of how the team is going to look like when it is selected. It just creates a lot of conversation that is pointless
DP : (speaking of looking elsewhere) is getting someone like Jordan Clarkson (an ineligible natural born local as our naturalised player an option?
Tab: I don’t know who Jordan Clarkson is, who is he?
DP: (laughing) Who is Jordan Clarkson” he’s playing for the Lakers. He has Filipino roots trough his mom, but because he acquired his Philippine passport after 16, he wouldn’t pass as an unrestricted local player but would need to take up the naturalisation spot. But the thing about him is he’s a guard 6’5 “ Might not be your ideal choice for an import (naturalised player)?
Tab: The Philippines is naturally short in height. So we probably won’t make that selection (getting a naturalised guard) , there are very few 6’10 filipinos. We won’t be entertaining the option of using our naturalised spot on a guard.
DP: Speaking about guards, Point guards to be specific, what is your preference and priority , do you want more a scoring point guard is that important or is it more important and a necessity to have a pass 1st point guard (someone who orchestrates ) ?
TAB: Fortunately with the Philippines we have the luxuary of having both kinds, (scoring guards) and pass 1st guards. So I think we will have a mix. I would envision that some of our PG options would be, hmm I don’t want to say score 1st PG, but have that ability. And others would be more court generals. We will look at both , we will use different combinations that make the team better, depending on certain situations and scenarios. Within the national team you usually have the luxuary of versatility , especially in the Philippines because of the depth of our guards. We will be looking at a diverse number of guards and diverse skill set across the roster.
DP: How about the option of using a big point guard like Gabe . like for some stretches. Is that an option?
TAB: Well Chot used Gabe as a PG, and I think there could be certain scenarios where that would be a preferred option . You know, having some wing players in the roster (Gabe) who can also play point is a luxuary. Something we will consider in our selection. That gives us more options, Gabe is probably a good example who probably will be there. As a guy who can play a little of point. Given certain scenarios.
DP: In the article written by Quniito Henson it was mentioned “quoting from you” that we are unlikely to get young players for the FIBA Asia 2015. Is it however a possibility to get young players (none PBA players) college for at least the pool ?
TAB: I didn’t say it was unlikely that we would get young players. I said that we would not have a policy of getting young players for simply for the sake of having youth for the team. That is the correct statement .
DP : Oh is that’s what you meant.
Tab: We're not going to go out and recruit young players simply to inject youth in the team, were going to try to select the players to win FIBA Asia. If some young players happen to be capable of playing at this level ( FIBA Asia) then they have every opportunity of making the team, being selected.
DP : [COLOR="#0000FF"]It’s really great that your eventually the head coach of the team, I’m really looking forward to things
[/COLOR]
TAB: Well it’s a huge challenge, It’s still sometime away before we actually prepare. I’m currently focus on Talk and text right now, do my job there and hope they make the next step forward. It’s a great opportunity to work with Gilas. I’m employed by some great people, I like working for them. As I have for the last couple of summers. You know having the role as head coach is really exciting !
DP: Good to know, so do I take it that you’re staying as consultant with TNT for the next conference ?:
TAB: Seems to be that way, yup I will be back working with them when I get back, unless something changes. My colleague Josh is a very good proponent of the DDO and Nash I believe is running it as well. they’re good coaches They’re extremely passionate and enthusiastic guys Hopefully we can grab a player from here (NZ) and bring him over.
DP: Yeah I think Josh has already a player in mind, the same player he looked at when he was last here. I’m talking about his collegiate team FEU though
P.S. Tab and I are working on getting a player to try out for Gilas ( identity not disclosed)