source: June Navarro | inquirer.net
The Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team is one big man shy of an ideal lineup. But RP coach Rajko Toroman is already convinced that the national five is ready to go head to head with Asian basketball powerhouses Iran and China.
The Serbian mentor based his evaluation on the country’s performance in the 21st Dubai International Tournament, where Smart Gilas salvaged third place against towering teams with far more experienced players.
“The teams that we played in this tournament are definitely tougher than China,” said Toroman on the eve of their departure from this city famous for the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 828 meters.
“We could had been champions if we had an inside player with the size of Asi Taulava,” added Toroman after leading an all-local Smart Gilas crew to a bronze-medal finish over Al Jalaa.
The RP squad did away with the services of the 6-foot-11 Jamal Sampson.
The Syrians had imports Garnett Thompson (6-10), 7-footer Zendon Hamilton and Demitric Shaw aside from three hulking Brazilian-Syrian players.
UPDATE:
Gilas part ways with naturalized prospect Samspon (click here)
“In this tournament, we proved that height isn’t everything in basketball,” said Toroman. “If you don’t have the size, you compensate for it with your heart.”
The mentor described as impressive the performances of Jason Ballesteros, Mac Baracael, Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca and JVee Casio, who was named best guard of the tournament.
Sampson, who refused to play in the quarterfinals against Al Riyadi and Al Jalaa, claimed he has a hurting knee.
This prompted Toroman to rely heavily on the 6-7 Ballesteros and the 6-3 Baracael in the paint along with Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said the team was disappointed with Sampson, the team’s second candidate for naturalization after CJ Giles, who now plays for Al Riyadi.
“Obviously, he’s not willing to risk limb, career and life for the national team, which is different from the rest of the boys,” said Eala, who has already sent an e-mail to Smart Gilas scout Jim Kelly in the United States to look for a replacement.
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more tune-up games and tournaments abroad with additional big men like asi..gilas will bring back the supremacy in international basketball.
MAHUSAY
THE WHOLE FILIPINO PEOPLE ARE BACKING UP THE SBP TO REPLACE IMMEDIATELY THAT IDIOT JAMAL SAMPSON.
PINEKE NIA ANG PILIPINAS MAY TINATAGO PALA SIYANG SAKIT! MUKHANG PERA!
pweding pwede na, ang isipan ni toroman ay kaparihas ng mga taga hanga ng gilas
IM A SMART GILAS FANATIC KAHIT 1 o'clock ang game bumangon ako para lang mano od nang game ng smart gilas.. HONESTLY SPEAKING HINDI TAYO MAG CHAMPION NGAYONG ASIAN GAMES PAG IPINALIT NATIN KAY SAMPSON SI TAULAVA.... WE NEED AN IMPORT THAT PLAYED CENTER THAT CAN SCORE INSIDE AND CAN REBOUND....HOPE THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF SMART GILAS WILL THINK OF THAT..
note: i hav nothing against PBA PLAYERS .
oi c coach toroman ng prandam sa ngalan ni taulava....gustu guro nya ang serbisyu ni asi
I think we don't need an import anymore. Let's look for a filipino or fil-am big man this time. Train and expose him then once he reach his peak, it will no longer be a dilemma.There's a lot of them in the United States for sure Filipino players will never run out or in other countries then also develop our current big men like Japeth,Balle,Slaughter etc. i think that will aperfect complement sa that our void from the inside will be filled and finally be a complete and competitive since we have elite guards who can run the play effectively.
WE need more news about Smart Gilas RP team right now because of their impressive conquest on the middle east when no phil team had so far accomplished.
Good luck Coach T and Smart Gilas...hope u could get a bigger/taller player ASAP...
Malas tayo sa import. Hope we can get a better replacement willing to denounce American citizenship. Pero mukhang malabo ata.
we need a naturalize player to be competitive in asiad games....pot
oo nga naman palitan na yan..sayang lang ung pera na binayad sa kanya tapos babaliwalaen lang nya ung effort ng mga bata..anung silbi ng naturalized tapos hindi naman xa nakaka2long dba..kailangan natin ng 100% na center ung walang injury..kau cnu sa tingin nyo ang ipalit?? for me may napili na ako wich is brian carlwell..dominant din at very athletic..6'11'' pero mas magaling pa kay giles..
mj55
great move to look for a new candidate for naturalization.. there is so many agile big guys out there, but we must choose the one who will give us 20 rebs a game... in short "inside presence".
So i guess this would mean that we are up again looking for Sampson's replacement. And while we're in the process searching for the 'right' one, why not invite Taulava (given that PBA and/or his mother team will allow) and have him learn the system of Toroman. I bet he'll have a lot tyo share with the boys not to mention he have the heart and will to play for our country. Just my thoughts.
kelangan natin center na malaki ang katawan at the same time agile parin and willing to play with compassion and heart.
Time to look for Sampson's replacement and while on it, why not invite Asi for one last tour of duty. Of course this is subject to his mother team's approval. Go Gilas
I've seen almost all the Gilas games here in Dubai. Ok na yung line-up nila dagdagan nalng talaga ng dominant and intimidating center kaya ng magchampion. Ito po yung line-up ko:
1. 7 Footer Naturalized Center ? Sana mkahanap ang SBP ng great rebounder at intimidating na center na magaling dumipensa.
2. Greg Slaughter - 7'0" (tingin ko trainable naman, ok din cya kc may puso. bigyan lng ng conditioning coach like Alex Ariza)
3. Junmar Fajardo - 6'10" (balita: sasali na to later part this year)
4. Japeth Aguilar - 6'10" (idevelop nya slashing moves and consistent outside sniping)
5. Rabeh Al Hussaini - 6'8" (Malaking tulong sa shaded area)
6. Jason Ballesteros - 6'7" (Malaki puso, malakas sa rebound)
7. Chris Lutz - 6'4" (Available this March, Outside Snipper)
8. Mac Baracael - 6'4" (Best weapon ni Toroman))
9. Marcio Lassiter - 6'2" (All around player, weapon ni Torroman)
10. Chris Tiu - 5'11" (One of the best as well)
11. JV Casio - 5'9" (Consistent Point Guard, sobrang galing)
12. Mark Barroca - 5'9" (Magaling sa hussle, pag pumutok mahirap pigilan
Outside Gunners
13. JR Cawaling - 6'3"
14. Dylan Ababou - 6'3"
15. Aldrech Ramos - 6'7"
Sa pinakita nila sa Dubai, dna kailangan maghanap pa ng iba. Nakikita ko na ang chemistry nila kaya dapat huwag ng buwagin. Tuloy tuloy lng ang ensayo at international exposure. Marami na silang pahihirapang bansa.
Galing Talaga ng SMART GILAS.....
I JUST NEED A COMMENT FROM BONEL CABATU!
TOINKS!!!!!!
HAHAHAAH,SAN NA KAYA YONG GAGONG YON!!
MAGSALITA KANA,UGOK....
PAHIYA KA NO?????
ASK KO LANG SAVOR SAYO!!!
PWEDE BA MAHIYA2X NAMAN YANG PAGMUMUKHA MO,
UGOK KA LANG TALAGA.
UTAK TALANGKA!!!!!!!
kita nyo na. ang Lebanon, napakalakas ng team eh mag na naturalize pa sila.we really need badly a naturalized import at kunin natin ang kulang sa atin. that is a formidable n dominant big man.minimum 6'11 pataas. at me mobility, good power body. kahit walang outside shooting. defence and inside job kailangan, para lalo gumana ang ball movement at ma open up ang mga shooters. 1 big man plus 4 shooters all around.
tyak CHAMPION NA TAYO. MASKI USA TEAM KAYANG KAYA.
Please replace him soon.bring a monster center. alam nyo na kung gaano kagagaling at kalalaki ang mga center ng kalaban. tingnan nyo na lng ung centro ng Iran. grabe sa fundamentals. mga wingman nila (ung nag MVP) galing din. dapat me player tayo ganoon, malaki na all around.
Mack
he was just looking in the long run of his career with the team though. you gotta give it to him
wow. wala pang comments. natutulog pa kasi ang maaangas dito.
if ever smart gilas can't find a good import, then they should go all-filipino with this line-up:
C- 7'0 greg slaughter
C- 6'9 asi taulava
PF- 6'9 japeth aguilar
PF- 6'7 jason ballesteros
PF- 6'7 rabeh al-hussaini
SF- 6'5 kelly williams
SF- 6'4 gabe norwood
SG- 6'3 chris lutz
SG- 6'3 mac baracael
SG- 6'2 marcio lassiter
PG- 5'10 chris tiu
PG- 5'8 jv casio
Reserves:
C- 6'9 samigue eman
PF- 6'6 jay washington
SF- 6'5 aldrech ramos
SG- 6'3 dylan ababou
SG- 6'3 jr cawaling
PG- 5'9 mark barroca
(what do you think guys?)
"lbj"
why not get asi taulava?...he's still capable to play...he'll be there just for rebounding and defensive purposes especially against bigger guys...he will be a good mentor to slaughter..
"lbj"
Just a suggestion,
Imports will not usually risk their playing careers for another country, especially if they are paid just a small amount of money compared to what they can get in other countries. Frankly, our pay in RP is much much smaller than other countries.
So we should do two things:
1. Have a pool of at least two imports (Jamal Sampson already had a history of injuries, I don't know why they still got him -> am sure they had their reasons but I don't know what they were)
2. Try to get an import that has an emotional connection to the Philippines so he will play with more pride and devotion.
I suggest they borrow Asi from the PBA and ONLY Asi. The current team is gelling well already. Williams and Norwood, talented as they are, won't be good for us long term unless they leave their PBA commitments. And they would only take minutes away from players who need more exposure to get better. Remember, the goal is 2012. Not 2010.
In Asi's case, his slot will be for a naturalized player anyway. It is a stop gap measure. And he can help define what the team needs in the open position.
Sana hindi lang sa US mag scout ng kapalit ni Sampson. Mag try din sa Europe at pati na sa Serbia, bka may alam si coach Toroman doon. Cgurado hindi spoiled at hindi sakit ng ulo kagaya ng mga galing sa US. Opinion ko lang . Tnx & goodluck SMART GILAS.
OK na hiramin muna si ASI fr d PBA habang wala pang nakuha na kapalit c $ampson, basta maka cope up lang sya at makayanan nya ang style ng training sa Smart Gilas.
Although may edad na, I'm sure kaya pa nya makipagsabayan. Kahit nga ang "abno" na si Ha ng Korea kinuha para lng may malaki silang player, bka naman temporarily pwede si ASI muna. Cgurado ako na he will give his all 4 d team.
kailangan c asi.,saka sonny thoss ang kelly williams and norwood.,mas mgaling cla ky rabeh. slowter.,tapos import aus n kayng kya n ang iran at china
Di ko alam kung ready na talaga... kulang ang gitna pero maganda naman ginawa ni coach T sa team... so sinu ako para kumontra... anyway personal perspective ko lang po un... i'm a gilas fan after all.. globe user ako dati pero dahil sa Gilas pinalitan ko ng smart ung number na na ginagamit for almost 7yrs... For as long as Smart supports the RP National Team I will use smart... Kahit Kinakain lod ko ng di ginagamit... hehehe... Good Luck sa Team ng Mga Pinoy!!!
Its a good choice if they will get taulava, a bigman who can defend and rebound, a bigman whos not up to scoring, but to torment his opponent. Nakita yan ni toroman.Hindi yan babangitin ni toroman kung hindi siya na galingan ky asi,besides veteran na si taulava..need lng ng gilas ay ang matibay na depensa sa ilalim....ang scoring machine ng pinas ay ang kanilang guards.at isa pa consistent talaga si asi sa kanyang laro lalo na sa depensa at rebounds....kung mag add pa sila ng norwood at williams...nakooo....malakas na ang RP team. WE DONT NEED AN IMPORT!!!!
norwood, baguio at asi rin. steroid ang naturalize kinuha para lumakas.
donate for the national team. wag ka muna magshampoo ng isang araw. lol
Na-aamoy ko.
Si ASI TAULAVA will play for GILAS.
Not unless kontrahin ni Yeng "Tamad na Kalbo" Guiao.
AS OF NOW, ASI IS INDEED THE ANSWER.
asi taulava betarano, aging at malapit na ring mag-retire yan..i don't think he needs money anymore sa isang commercial ballclub..dahil may edad na cya legacy na ang hanap at demand nya..wlang problema kay asi sa pag-join sa gilas ng full time ang problema lng yung contract nya sa coke mngmt para i release cya..dapat gumawa ng contract ang sbp with attractive retirement benefits for asi.
eh! ano na ang nangyayari kay Stanley Pringle? wala pa bang commitment?
c asi nalang seguradong may puso!!!! Go asi!
develop na lang natin ang bigmen kasi sigurado may puso. Kaya malas tau sa import kasi mas malaki ang offer ng ibang bansa compare lalo na kapag middle east countries kukuha sa kanila tingnan niyo c giles behavioral problem pagdating sa ibang bansa c sampson tingan niyo maglaro yan sa ibang bansa baka sa CBA ng China malaki ang bigay mawala bigla ang injury kasi alam naman natin kung gaano kahirap sa US ngayon dahil sa reccession nila. Better to train our bigmen and lets look for a filipino bigmen. Kulang ng traing ang bigmen natin.
play hard brothers kaya nyo yan////
kunion nyo si eman at jamar fajardo at jr reyes get them to have tall line up in the center
you need tall line up for smart gilas alssuhene is not a good player you need a fast like eman and jummar fajardo and jr reyes norwood and williams ok na ang lahat
lagi ako nag post d2 ng idea ko ayaw sundin sayang im also a coach sa international game but im retired gey eman and jummar fardo and williams and norwood and jr reyes at yap james
the line up the power house of gilas basketball team
1. slaugther 6'11center/ power forward
2 aguilar power6'10 forwrd
3. fajardo 6'10center/forward
4. eman 6'10center/forward
5 jr reyes 6'8forward
6 williams 6'9forward
7 balleateros 6'7forward
8 chris lutz 6'4
9 norwood 6'5
10 baraceul6'3
11 tui'5'11/ james yap'6'2
12 lassiter 6'2or steneger 6'9 reserved chui the you need tall and fast player and shooter 6'10
I agree w/ one blogger. why don't they look for some fil-europian, because in europe they play the international style of basketball and they're not as big headed as the american when it comes to basketball.
i think its better we take asi taulava in..he still can play well plus the fact na he has a pinoy heart..si asi daig pa nga nya ang mga purong pinoy when it comes to the determination at love of country...