source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com

UPDATE: (1:30pm) We landed in Beijing and we will be here for another 3 and half hours. - Asi

Smart Gilas Pilipinas leaves for Wuhan, China this morning, whipped up to fighting form by a three-year training program and firmed up by a naturalized player and four PBA reinforcements that should make them ready for their dream of making it to the 2012 London Olympics.

They depart at 6:30 a.m., hopeful of their chances in the 26th Fiba Asia Championship, the journey that decides their Olympic aspiration.

The Nationals, who have never made the Olympics in over three decades, open their campaign in the Wuhan meet against Bahrain Thursday.

"It will not be easy but we surely are sending the best SBP could put together under the circumstances," said SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas.

"One thing I'm sure about is that our players will give it all they have for flag and country. We might spring a few surprises as underdogs against perennial favorites," Vargas added.

The coaching staff is convinced the team has a legitimate chance to win.

Head coach Rajko Toroman maintains the initial goal is to make the knockout stage then everything can happen from there.

The Serbian mentor, a one-time Fiba Asia winner, presided over the Nationals’ last practice at home at the Meralco gym yesterday.

"With Marcus Douthit plus the four pros (Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jimmy Alapag and Asi Taulava), the good draw, the format, with no Yao Ming (for China) plus a little luck, we have a legit chance to win it all," said assistant coach Chot Reyes.

"Tactically and technically, coach Rajko is prepared. He has done a tremendous job bringing our country to respectable level," said Ryan Gregorio, who's also a deputy to Rajko for this Asian meet.

"Douthit's help will be critical on both ends because he has the size, length and intelligence to compete against the best centers in Asia. But the biggest contributions are coming from Ranidel and Kelly at position No. 4 and Jimmy at point guard," Gregorio also said.

The three coaches agreed the addition of Williams, De Ocampo and Alapag has made the team more upbeat.

The three also agreed, though, that the task is not easy.

They mentioned China, Korea and Japan from East Asia and Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar from Middle East as the other teams to beat.

But the Nationals should be ready to compete.

"This is what we prepared for when we embarked on this ambitious project three years ago. The dream of earning a ticket to London, though lofty, can be achieved," said Gregorio.

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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

UPDATE: Smart Gilas PHL def. Taiwan NT, 90-78 [VIDEO]

Smart Gilas Pilipinas will continue its chase not just of an Olympic berth in London next year but also of a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Championship.

Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan recently told the Nationals that the stakeholders funding the team have agreed to extend the program for a couple of more years.

“We were told Smart Gilas will be extended for another two years without specific details,” said Lim.

The lack of details means Serbian coach Rajko Toroman’s future with the Nationals is uncertain although his stay could hinge on how they will fare in the FIBA Asia Championship slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China where the winner represents the region in London.

It could also mean that there would be changes in the composition of the team since its current members aren’t barred from applying for the coming PBA rookie draft.

“It would be good for Philippine basketball because the program is already in place. It is a shame if it would be put to waste,” said Toroman, whose team is currently in Chinese Taipei seeing action in the Jones Cup that started yesterday.

Toroman explained there are more talented players available now including naturalized 6-10 center Marcus Douthit and some PBA reinforcements.

“The team could be formed with the combination of old Smart Gilas players and some new ones from the collegiate level plus Marcus (Douthit) and some PBA players,” said Toroman.

“I’m really happy for Smart Gilas because I know we have the potential to make it big, with or without me,” he added.

The door to the FIBA World is a bit wider for Asian teams. The 2013 FIBA Asia Championship stakes three spots to that elite tournament.

“In Wuhan, Asia is given just one berth to the Olympics but in 2013, three slots will be given to Asia so we have a stronger chance to make a good run at it,” said Toroman.

Douthit, a naturalized player who has given Smart Gilas some inside lift, is expected to be at the forefront of the Nationals’ FIBA Worlds campaign as the 6-10 big man is expected to provide the muscle and heft the Phl traditionally lacks.

Smart Gilas is also expected to re-absorb seven-footer Greg Slaughter and 6-6 Aldrech Ramos, who are currently playing for Ateneo and Far Eastern U, respectively, in the ongoing UAAP cage wars.

There are other talented young collegiate players like Bobby Ray Parks of National U and Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo.

Of course, there are the pros.

“It’s a big talented pool of players to choose from so the future looks bright for Smart Gilas,” said Toroman.

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source: June Navarro | inquirer.net

HSINCHUANG, Taiwan—Fiba Asia king Iran is not invincible after all. After countless setbacks on different fronts, Smart Gilas Pilipinas finally found a chink in the Iranian armor and carved out a stunning 73-59 win over the Hamed Haddadi-led squad at the start of the William Jones Cup last night.

Marcio Lassiter’s triple from way, way out capped the shocker that had the sellout crowd inside the Hsinchuang Stadium exploding in approval of the Nationals’ upset of the two-time Asian champions.

“We know that we are good and we proved that tonight,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman. “To win against Asia’s back-to-back champion team means you have something. This game proved we can play with anybody.”

The Filipinos earned a standing ovation after breaking a long slump against the Iranians starting with a first-round defeat in the 2007 Fiba Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan.

Philippines def. Iran NT, 73-59 [REPLAY VIDEO]

Marcus Douthit humbled the 7-foot-2 Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Iranians in the lane, banging in 24 points and pulling down 11 rebounds on top of two blocks, two steals and an assist.

Guards Mark Barroca and JV Casio also sparkled with 13 and 11 points apiece while the entire team shot 46 percent from the field.

But Toroman said it was defense that did the trick.

“Our defense was great, especially Marcus. He made several crucial stops and made a lot of positive things on the floor,” said Toroman.

Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and Hamed Afagh, Iran’s reliable swingmen, missed the game due to injuries, denying the Iranians a lot of scoring opportunities from the wings.

Playmaker Mahdi Kamrani and Haddadi took over the scoring cudgels as they combined for 43 points.

“Hamed is a very skilled guy and he’s dominated the five position in Asia,” said Toroman. “He loves to shoot threes and that’s better for us as long as we put a body on him whenever he goes inside the paint.”

Smart Gilas opened a 14-point lead on Chris Tiu’s fastbreak and padded the advantage on a Japeth Aguilar dunk, 54-38, at the end of the third.

Kamrani replied with eight straight points but Casio, Douthit, Tiu and Mac Baracael converted consecutive jumpers before Lassiter’s long three put the outcome beyond doubt.

Douthit and Mark Barroca earlier gave the Filipinos their biggest lead of the first half at 33-22 halfway through the second quarter.

The Filipinos were supposed to face the Jordanians yesterday but the sudden pullout of South Africa from the initial nine-team field led to the modification of the schedule

In other games, Rashiem Wright scattered 15 points and Zaid Abbas added 14 as Jordan drubbed United Arab Emirates, 91-72.

South Korea, silver medalist in the 2010 Asian Games, also got going with a mighty showing, pulling off a 110-50 demolition of Malaysia, 110-50.

Under the new format, all teams play seven consecutive days with the top four advancing to the semifinals on the eighth day and the finalists playing on the ninth day.

It was a clear departure from the meet’s traditional single-round format, which includes a one-day rest, with the No. 1 team clinching the crown outright.

“We’ll be forced to use key players, including Marcus for longer minutes and that’s not good,” said Toroman.

The Nationals will face host Chinese Taipei today then Jordan, Malaysia, Korea, United Arab Emirates and Japan.

“It’s going to be tough and I hope nobody gets hurt or injured,” said Toroman.

Meanwhile, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has decided to extend the Smart Gilas program to two more years up to the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship where three continental slots are at stake for the world championship the following year.

“That’s right. The program has been extended for two more years without specific details,” said Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim.

The three-year program that started late 2008 will reach its climax in the Asian championship in Wuhan, China next month, the qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics.

The champion in the continental meet on Sept. 15-25 earns a ticket to London while the losing finalist and the bronze finisher get another crack in the Fiba Olympic qualifying a few months before the Olympics.

Smart Gilas operations head Butch Antonio said the composition of the national team after Wuhan remains unknown since the contracts of the players, along with the coaching staff led by Toroman, are set to expire at the end of September.

Some of the Nationals are also joining the PBA Rookie Draft on Aug. 26 at Robinson’s Ermita.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan announced the new timetable for the Nationals during a send-off dinner for the Jones Cup team he hosted Wednesday night.

Toroman said Pangilinan gave the players a choice between the PBA and serving the national team for two more years.

“It’s now up to the players if they want to stay or go to the PBA,” said Toroman.

Though Toroman’s tenure highly depends on the team’s output in the Asian championship, he hailed the decision as a crucial move that would keep the national squad competitive against the best teams in the continent.

“The program is already in place and extending it for two more years could produce better results,” said Toroman, who brought Iran to the 2008 Beijing Olympics after capturing the 2007 Fiba Asia Championship.

“We have a strong chance to nail one of those three slots in the world championship,” he added.

Philippines def. Iran NT, 73-59 [REPLAY VIDEO]

August 6, 2011 (Day 1)
1st Game - Jordan def. UAE, 91-72
2nd Game - Korea def. Malaysia, 110-50
3rd Game - Philippines def. Iran NT, 73-59 [VIDEO]
4th Game - Taiwan def. Japan, 99-72



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73 vs. 59
(FINAL SCORE) [VIDEO REPLAY]

The Scores:

Philippines 73 - Douthit 24, Barroca 13, Casio 11, Baracael 8, Aguilar 6, Tiu 4, Lassiter 3, Hontiveros 2, Taulava 2, Lutz 0.

Iran 59 - Ehadadi 25, Kamrani 18, Davarpanahfard 7, Sohrabnejad 3, Kardoust 2, Veisi 2, Nabipoor 2, Davoudichegani 0, Davari 0, Sahakian.

Quarters: 17-12, 37-30, 54-38, 73-59

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August 6, 2011 (Day 1)
1st Game - Jordan def. UAE, 91-72
2nd Game - Korea def. Malaysia, 110-50
3rd Game - Philippines def. Iran NT, 73-59 [VIDEO]
4th Game - Taiwan def. Japan, 99-72



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source: gmanews.tv

Pilipinas-Smart Gilas will go beyond reliance on individual talent when they go up against powerhouse Asian teams in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship for men in Wuhan, China on September 15 to 25.

The FIBA-Asia Championship is a qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

Clearly lacking in size compared to their powerhouse Asian opponents, Pilipinas-Smart Gilas will
compensate with teamwork and tactics-focused regimented training that Serbian coach Rajko Toroman has applied to develop the team.

"We play military basketball and I like that. We are inside of the border and you have to move just inside of the border," said Toroman, who introduced a new system in the hopes of steering the Philippines back to the Olympics, in a report aired at Unang Balita.

"Don't go out of the border, you have enough space to show your individual skills inside the border. But don't create your own system. This team, Gilas, original Gilas, I think is the best tactical team in all Asia."

Gilas pointguard JV Casio believes tactical focus is what the team needs. "We can't really do this individually. We must not rely on individual skills."

Smart Gilas, target makapasok sa 2012 Olympics


Casio said Toroman and the Gilas coaching staff instilled a disciplined system that doesn't rely solely on individual skills. "They (coaching staff) showed that we should be at the right position. For us it is military basketball but I think this is what Philippine basketball needs."

Asi Taulava, on secondment from the Meralco Bolts to beef up Gilas' frontline, said teamwork will help the Philippines achieve of clinching an Olympic berth, which has eluded the country for almost four decades now.

The last time the Philippines qualified in the quadrennial Games was during the 1972 Munich Olympics where the country finished 13th out of 16 teams.

"It's going to be a whole different ball game, because now we all help one another for one purpose. It's not one guy is bigger than the other guy, it is like three guys working to achieve one goal. What we want to do is put ourselves in a position where we can medal and make everybody proud of us," Taulava said. - JVP, GMA News

UPDATE: 2011 William Jones Cup Game & TV Broadcast Schedule [CLICK HERE]

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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

UPDATE: 2011 William Jones Cup Game & TV Broadcast Schedule [CLICK HERE]

Smart Gilas Pilipinas leaves for Chinese Taipei tomorrow as it vies in the William Jones Cup where it hopes to toughen up for the FIBA-Asia Championship – the London Olympics qualifier – slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China.

“It will be a great competition for us, it’s going to be a tough one but we want this kind of tournament because we want to toughen up and learn a lot from this event as we prepare for Wuhan,” said Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

The Serbian mentor said their recent campaign in the import-laced FIBA-Asia Champions Cup where the Nationals reached the semis and the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend where they gave a star-studded NBA cast a good fight showed their readiness to compete against the best in Asia.

“I think the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup and our game against the NBA superstars proved that we’re very competitive,” said Toroman. “Now we just need to play more games with the PBA players for us to be more cohesive.”

The presence of powerhouse teams Iran, Jordan and South Korea should make the Jones Cup, set Aug. 6-14 at the Sinjhuang Stadium in New Taipei City, a good test for the Nationals seeking no less than an Olympic slot.

Smart Gilas drew Asian powerhouse Jordan in its first game on Aug. 6 and United Arab Emirates the next day before taking a one-day break in the meet.

After the break, Smart Gilas will play seven straight games against South Korea on Aug. 9, South Africa on Aug. 10, Japan on Aug. 11, Malaysia on Aug. 12, host Chinese Taipei on Aug. 13 before capping its campaign against two-time Asian champion Iran on Aug. 14.

“The Iran game would be the biggest test for the team,” said Toroman.

The Iranians are expected to parade 7-2 Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi both in the Jones Cup and the FIBA-Asia Championship.

Naturalized Marcus Douthit and PBA reinforcements Asi Taulava of Meralco and Dondon Hontiveros of Air21 will reinforce the Nationals, the regining SEABA champions, in the Jones Cup.

Talk N’ Text’s Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag are the other PBA stalwarts backstopping Smart Gilas five but will only join the team after the ongoing PBA Governors late this month.

The other members of the team are captain Chris Tiu, co-skipper Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Japeth Aguilar, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros.

UPDATE: 2011 William Jones Cup Game & TV Broadcast Schedule [CLICK HERE]

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source: June Navarro | inquirer.net

China’s American coach Robert Donewald predicted his team will book the lone London Olympics ticket up for grabs in the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, starting Sept. 15.

“There’s no doubt about it. Sept. 25 is the championships and we’re going to get that win,” Donewald told the China Daily recently.

Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman doesn’t agree.

“I think there are at least nine teams with a realistic chance of winning the title,” said Toroman, mentioning the Philippines, Iran, China, South Korea, Lebanon, Qatar, Jordan, Japan and Chinese-Taipei.

“It would be a tough [tournament] because it would be like nine crocodiles battling for three medals,” said Toroman.

********

note: The champion team from Wuhan will directly qualify for the Olympics, while the Top 2 and Top 3 teams will qualify for the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament.. (FIBA)

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source: Agence France-Presse

BEIJING - China's national team basketball coach Robert Donewald has said his team must and will win the upcoming Asian championships - a victory that would ensure a ticket to the London Olympics in 2012.

"There is no doubt about it. September 25 is the championships. We are going to get that win," Donewald, an American, said in comments carried by the China Daily on Tuesday.

"We've got to win. We feel that the Chinese fans, at least, deserve to see their team at the Olympics."

The championships will run from September 16-25 in the central city of Wuhan, with China seeking to avenge a 70-52 loss to Iran in the finals of the last edition, played in China in 2009.

Iran have won the last two Asian championships, signaling a new balance of power in the region that is challenging the supremacy of China, who have won 14 regional crowns and struck gold at the Asian Games in November in Guangzhou.

As in the past two championships, China's iconic centre Yao Ming will not play due to injury, but the team will be anchored by Washington Wizards power forward Yi Jianlian and former Dallas Mavericks center Wang Zhizhi.

The upcoming championships had earlier been scheduled to take place in Lebanon, but a last-ditch effort by China to get the event moved to Wuhan has ensured home court advantage for Donewald's side.

China's ability to finance major sports events -- and guarantee broadcast and ticket revenues -- was seen as a major reason the Asian Basketball Federation agreed to allow the nation to host two successive championships.

Although the road to the 2012 London Olympics will not be easy, Donewald said he is not feeling any pressure even as Team China lost two friendly matches against Australia over the weekend.

"I'm not under any kind of pressure. It's competition and I love it. I don't see it as pressure. I see it as a lot of fun," Donewald said.

"Right now, what we are witnessing is probably the best team defense in the history of China, but I still think it's not good enough ... we have got to get a lot better if we want to compete at a high level on the world stage."

Further preparations ahead of the Asian championships include a four-nation tournament with Australia, Turkey and Montenegro in early July and the Stankovic Cup a month later that will pit China against Angola, Russia and New Zealand. Both tournaments will be held in China.

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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

With the SEABA mission accomplished, Smart Gilas trains its sights on the FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China in September, hopeful of its bid for the lone berth in next year’s London Olympic Games.

The National swept the four-day SEABA tilt in emphatic fashion, beating the opposition by an average 40 points, including an 89-50 rout of Indonesia in the final of the four-day meet in Jakarta.

“We have two goals here, to make it to the Wuhan championship and win this tournament. We’ve achieved both,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

Although the competition in Jakarta pales in comparison with the field in Wuhan, the SEABA romp has given the badly decimated Gilas side the moral boost and impetus to go for the lone Olympic slot.

The FIBA-Asia Championship, slated Sept. 15-25, features the best teams in the region, including those who competed in the recent Champions Cup at Philsports Arena, led by champion Lebanon and runner-up Iran.

Smart Gilas lost by just three points, 77-80, to Iran in their semifinal duel and then played listlessly in bowing to Qatar in the battle for third.

But in Wuhan, the Nationals to play in full force with the four PBA players – Asi Taulava, Dondon Hontiveros, Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag – expected to suit up after opting to sit out the SEABA campaign.

There was actually no need for a reinforcement in Jakarta as Smart Gilas dominated the opposition despite a depleted roster.

In the finals, the Nationals overpowered the hosts the way they outclassed them in their elims clash en route to a 40-point romp as they completed a four-game sweep of the tournament.

The Filipinos routed the opposition with an average winning margin of 40 points following earlier victories over the Malaysians, 97-71, Thursday, the Indonesians Friday, 94-54, and the Singaporeans, 106-51, Saturday.

Smart Gilas uncorked a 17-0 blitz anchored on Mac Baracael to put the game out of reach right in the second quarter.

All nine players Toroman fielded in scored at least four points with co-skipper Mark Barroca leading the way with 17 points and Marcus Douthit, captain Chris Tiu and Baracael chipping in 16, 13 and 12 points, respectively.

With the referees calling it tight and the Indonesians playing tougher defense, the Nationals proved unforgiving and posted a 46-27 advantage at the break.

The 6-10 Douthit powered his way to 12 points and six rebounds as the Nationals dominated the boards at the break with 22 rebounds as against 13 by the Indonesians.

They also hit 11 of their 14 charities against just four of nine by the hosts although Smart Gilas turned the ball over seven times.

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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

JAKARTA – Two pillars of Smart Gilas Pilipinas bat for the continuation of the cage program even if the team fails in its Olympic qualifying bid in the FIBA-Asia Championship in China in September.

Coach Rajko Toroman and skipper Chris Tiu yesterday stressed the need to sustain the success of the program launched three years ago aimed at qualifying the Philippines to the 2012 London Olympics.

The Nationals formalized their stint in the Olympic qualifier set Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China with an emphatic showing in the SEABA tournament.

“The Smart Gilas program is a great program and it must continue if the Philippines wants to look beyond London,” said Toroman.

The Nationals are playing the host Indonesians at press time in the finals of the ninth SEABA tilt at the Brittama Arena here.

“It’s a good program that should be continued,” said Tiu, who reiterated his desire to forego his plans to join the pro ranks if the program would be extended.

Toroman said the new Smart Gilas must be a combination of some members of the team seeing action in the SEA Games in November and the old Smart Gilas squad.

“It should be formed by tapping the best players of the SEA Games team and players from the old Smart Gilas team plus Marcus (Douthit),” said Toroman, referring to the naturalized 6-10 Douthit, the team’s reinforcement for its Olympic quest.

The SEAG-bound team is coached by Norman Black and composed of the best collegiate players.

There is a possibility that Smart Gilas would be disbanded if it fails in the FIBA-Asia Championship, which stakes the lone Olympic berth for the region.

“I would love to continue to play for Smart Gilas, I hope after the Olympics we’ll go for the World Championship,” said Tiu.

Meanwhile, Indonesia overpowered Malaysia, 77-47, Saturday night to arrange a rematch with Smart Gilas, which routed the hosts, 94-54, last Friday.

Toroman, however, cautioned his wards not to be too complacent.

“Although we beat Indonesia by 40 points, it can’t be said in the finals because I know they’ll make adjustments and we expect the game to be closer,” he said.

UPDATE: Smart Gilas Pilipinas bags SEABA 2011 crown (click here)

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source: mb.com.ph

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Despite the injury woes, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is confident of hurdling its first test when the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship starts Thursday at the Britama Arena Sports Mall here.

Down to only 10 players, the Nationals battle the Malaysians at 5 p.m. with coach Rajko Toroman hoping to maximize their potential against a rugged squad.

"With or without these injured players, nothing has changed and our goal remains the same, which is to be champion of SEABA," Toroman said.

Toroman said five of their 10 players are still recuperating from various injuries but stressed they will go all-out to win the tournament – a qualifier to the FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China in September.

The Wuhan event is the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.

Expected to lead Gilas are naturalized Marcus Douthit, Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael and Jason Ballesteros.

The rest are nursing injuries, including JV Casio (foot), Japeth Aguilar (ankle), Chris Lutz (quadricepts) and Marcio Lassiter (back) while Dylan Ababou is coming off a bout with fever.

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source: philstar.com

Already without its PBA reinforcements, Smart Gilas Pilipinas will vie in the ninth Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament slated June 23-26 in Jakarta, Indonesia minus four of its mainstays.

Skipper Chris Tiu said they compete in the event without JV Casio and Japeth Aguilar (foot injuries), Fil-Am Chris Lutz (hurting quadriceps) and Dylan Ababou (fever), leaving the team with only six healthy men.

They include naturalized Marcus Douthit, who led the Nationals’ fourth place finish in the recent 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup. He, however, came back only recently after marrying her long-time girlfriend in the US.

“JV and Japeth have foot injuries, Chris Lutz’s quads are hurting while Dylan is coming off sick,” said Tiu. “Marcus has also just returned because he got married in the US.

“Of course, everybody knows our PBA players are not playing so we really have to step up big,” added Tiu.

Meralco’s Asi Taulava, Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros, and Talk n Text’s Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag, whom coach Rajko Toroman tapped to backstop the national team’s campaign, have opted to go back to their mother teams in the ongoing PBA Governors Cup.

Smart Gilas will also miss the services of seven-footer Greg Slaughter and 6-6 Aldrech Ramos, who will be suiting up for reigning champion Ateneo and Far Eastern U, respectively, in the UAAP which starts July 9, leaving the team with Mark Barroca, Marcio Lassiter, Mac Baracael and Jason Ballesteros.

“Despite these factors, I think we’ll be fine and we’re as eager to play and win the gold,” he said.

Smart Gilas will play Malaysia on June 23, Indonesia the next day and Singapore on June 25 with the top two teams disputing the crown on June 26.


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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

A Smart Gilas Pilipinas without Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros guns for nothing less than a berth to this September’s FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China as it competes in the ninth Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship set June 23-26 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Our ultimate goal is the FIBA-Asia Championship in China where a place in the 2012 London Olympics is at stake,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman. “But for us to make it there, we need to participate in the qualifying tournament and that’s why we are preparing for the SEABA tournament.”

The Nationals, however, will be without veteran Taulava and Hontiveros who opted to return to their mother teams in the ongoing PBA Governors Cup.


“They’re playing for their PBA teams. They will rejoin the team only after the third conference of the PBA so they will not be coming to Jakarta,” said Toroman referring to Taulava and Hontiveros as well as Talk n Text’s Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag.

With Taulava and Hontiveros providing added firepower and experience, the Nationals finished a fighting fourth in the import-laden 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup.

Seven-footer Greg Slaughter and 6-foot-6 Aldrech Ramos will also not join the team in Jakarta since the two are playing for reigning UAAP champion Ateneo and Far Eastern U, respectively, in the forthcoming collegiate cage wars leaving Smart Gilas with a 10-man roster led by naturalized player Marcus Douthit.

Smart Gilas captain Chris Tiu, co-skipper Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros are the other players joining the Jakarta trip.

Tiu though sees no problems.

“We are eager to play and win the gold despite being undermanned with only 10 players,” said Tiu.

“I think we’ll be fine but we will not take any team lightly,” Tiu also said.

Smart Gilas will play Malaysia, which is incidentally coached by Filipino Ariel Vanguardia, on June 23, Indonesia the next day and Singapore on June 25 with the top two teams playing in the finale on June 26 in the four-day meet staking three spots in the Wuhan Asian joust.

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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

The Philippine women’s basketball team set to see action in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November could be in a for bigger battle – the 2010 FIBA-Asia Championship in Nagasaki, Japan.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios yesterday said the SBP will lobby for the inclusion of the team, named Discovery Perlas, in the annual tournament set Aug. 21-28 in the city of Omura.

The eight-day meet will serve as a qualifier to the 2012 London Olympics.

“We’re continuously communicating with FIBA-Asia for our team to get in so that we could prepare immediately,” said Barrios in his first SBP Congress attended by the country’s stakeholders.

The SBP was actually sent a confirmation letter from FIBA-Asia as early as March 15 only to be told a week later that the tournament roster has already been filled up.

There were reports that the country is fourth in the waiting list, which means there are three countries ahead of them in case some teams back out .

“We were told it was first-come, first-served basis so apparently we were not early enough. We’re not remiss though because we were informed the deadline was April 10,” said Barrios.

If the Phl’s request will not be approved, it will mark the second time that Discovery Perlas would miss a second Asian event in a row after skipping the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

The Nationals were supposed to be in the second level of the Japan meet alongside Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Singapore, or one tier below the group comprising of powerhouse China, South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, India and Lebanon.

Barrios though was told by FIBA-Asia secretary-general Dato Yeoh Choo Hock that he would help the Filipinos in their request.

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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

A pair of Fil-Am cagers are coming over this month to backstop the Energen Pilipinas Under-16 basketball squad seeking a berth in the second FIBA-Asia U-16 Championship for Junior Men slated Oct. 18-28 in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Guard Louie Boy Brill and forward Adam King Gupilan are joining team practice late this month with both players tipped to land spots in the team competing in the second Southeast Asian Basketball Association U-16 Qualifying Championship from Aug. 9-13 in Banting City, Selangor, Malaysia which offers slots for the Vietnam meet.

“They’re arriving next week and we’re excited to have them in the team,” said Energen Pilipinas coach Olsen Racela in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s in UN Ave., referring to Brill and Gupilan.

The 5-10 Brill is playing for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland, Washington while the 6-4 Gupilan is studying at Bellarmine-Jefferson High in Burbank, California.



“Louie Boy (Brill) played with the team then coached by Eric Altamirano when they trained in Indiana last year while Gupilan is coming over to play for San Beda,” said Racela. “They’re both talented and they would be big help to the team.”

But some team members tend to disagree, saying one of the two is not that impressive although they welcomed the decision to include them in the squad so as to know their real worth.

The squad was formed as early as four months ago with 20 out of the 200 that tried out and made it to the pool, including 6-3 Geloi Vito of La Salle-Greenhills and Henry Asilum of Sacred Heart of Ateneo in Cebu.

The other members of the team are J-Jay Alejandro, G-Boy Babilonia, Hubert Cani, Andrei Caracut, Reb Diputado, JJ Domingo, Jay Javelosa, Kyles Lao, Kiefer Lim, Earl Murphy, Daryl Pascual, Tomas Ramos, Prince Rivero, Renzo Subido, Arvin Tolentino, Radge Tongco, Nick Dalafu and Isaac Go.

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source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have to do without its PBA reinforcements in the next couple of months after the pros recently decided to play for their respective mother ball clubs in the ongoing PBA Governors Cup.

“They will play for their PBA teams, they will rejoin the team only after the third conference of the PBA,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman referring to Talk n Text’s Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag, Meralco’s Asi Taulava and Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros.

Williams and Alapag had actually decided to join the Tropang Texters’ bid for the grand slam even before the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup while Taulava has played in the Bolts’ opening game last Sunday.

Hontiveros, who saw action in the Champions Cup like Taulava, has been practicing with the Express and hopes to help the team’s campaign this conference.

In the agreement between Smart Gilas and the PBA, the pros are allowed to choose to either play for their respective squads in the Governors Cup or stay with the national team.

The pros’ decision, however, was a big blow to the Nationals’ preparation for the FIBA-Asia Championship slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China where the winner will represent the region in the 2012 London Olympics. The pros would only be able to rejoin Smart Gilas by August, just a month before the Wuhan meet.

Toroman, however, said they would have to do with what’s left with the team, basically a combination of former collegiate stars with naturalized Marcus Douthit.

“We need to do everything we need to do not to be affected with the recent developments,” Toroman said.

The Nationals resumed practice Monday after taking a one-week break to prepare for the ninth Southeast Asian Basketball Association Men’s Championship slated June 23-26 in Jakarta, where three berths are staked for the Wuhan meet.

Smart Gilas will then fly to Turkey and Portugal next month and play some tuneup games against powerhouse countries like Serbia, Romania and Iran, the reigning back-to-back Asian champion.

The pros could rejoin Smart Gilas in the Jones Cup from Aug. 6-14 in Chinese Taipei.

“The soonest they could return to the team is the Jones Cup but it will still depend on the performance of their teams in the Governors Cup so we’re still hoping for the best,” said Toroman.

Toroman said they would also set up goodwill games with Australian and Chinese teams where he hopes the pros could see action before plunging into action in Wuhan.

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source: gmanews.tv

Asi Taulava of Meralco, Dondon Hontiveros of Air21 and Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams of Talk N Text are back with their respective mother teams to play in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Governors Cup.

This, after PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud informed the four players, their respective mother squads and the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas on the conditions they set before allowing these cagers to beef up the Nationals in the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship in China in September.

“It’s either they won’t join the Governors Cup or they represent Gilas after the Governors Cup, that’s the condition. They cannot leave in between the tournament. In the end, they all agreed that the four players will join the national squad after the Third Conference," Salud told GMA News Online in a telephone interview.

Taulava, Meralco Bolts’ center, already played in his team’s 105-100 win over Petron Blaze.

Hontiveros is continuously practicing with the Air21 Express and will play for his squad's game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday. Same as with Alapag and Williams, whose Talk N Text Tropang Texters are seeking to become only the fourth team in PBA history to complete a Grand Slam.

The Texters play the Alaska Aces also on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

Taulava and Hontiveros played for the Nationals, who finished fourth in the recently-concluded FIBA Asia Champions Cup. Alapag and Williams did not join as Pilipinas-Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman opted to preserve them for the Olympic qualifying tournament in China.

But none among these four pros will join Gilas in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) in Jakarta, Indonesia slated June 23-26 and the annual William Jones Cup tournament next month in Taipei.

The SEABA tournament is also a qualifying tournament for the FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, but the Filipinos were able to qualify in the Olympic qualifying event as early as last year after a decent fourth-place finish in the Stankovic Cup. - Rey Joble/KBK/OMG, GMA News

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