FIBA ASIA

Highlights: FIBA Asia Cup: Undermanned Gilas Defeats China with 58% FG Shooting, Romeo’s the Hero

Gilas Pilipinas Wins Against China 96 -87

Photo by: FIBA.com Asia Cup
In the very first assignment of the Philippines in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, Gilas Pilipinas came in the game undermanned but on fire as the national team played like a well-oiled machine defeating the defending champion China.
Big man, JunMar Fajardo’s service wasn’t needed against China as the team started the game hot and was shooting really well. The Philippines scored a total of 53 points in the first half against 39 points of China.
In the 3rd quarter, China suddenly caught fire and their three point shooting suddenly connected. They had a huge 3rd quarter scoring 31 points that continued on the mid part of the fourth quarter. China is on a run and was able to capture the lead late in the fourth quarter.
The Philippines needed some scoring and the defense of China inside was getting tighter by the minute. This was when fearless Terrence Romeo took over the game with crucial shots after another. Romeo ended up scoring with a game high of 26 points.  Castro contributed 13 points,  Standhardinger with 15 and Matthew Wright with 12.
Japeth Aguilar and Gabe Norwood manned the defensive end with a combined 8 of the total 9 blocks of Gilas.
Guo Ailun led China with 18 points.

Gilas Pilipinas will play against Iraq on August 11 at 16:00. 
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Who will be the best player tomorrow for Gilas?

Still Terrence Romeo
Calvin Abueva
Japeth Aguilar
Jayson Castro
Christian Standhardinger
Matthew Wright
Jio Jalalon
Others

Do Riddles

//scripts.poll-maker.com/3012/scpolls.js

Don Don Hontiveros got a highlight reel and he is not shooting in it, wait what?

Don-Don Hontiveros was considered for the Gilas lineup because of his shooting skills, and indeed he delivers the goods against the Japanese in a semi-final matchup that gave us the opportunity to to once again fight for the gold and  qualify for the Rio Olympics. Don-Don Hontiveros shooting was a big factor but this highlight was also a crucial one. Watch Donaldo Hontiveros with a well-timed and crucial block against Japan!

The Score: Enzo Flojo gives insights on Gilas’ victory over Iran

Sports blogger and Analyst Enzo Flojo gives his insights on Gilas Pilipinas’ victory over Iran in the FIBA Asia Championship.

Enzo owns Hoopnut.com, he was originally a blogger for basketball turned into one of the most sought after sports analyst covering all spectrum of basketball in the Philippines, Asia and the world. From FIBA to PBA to NBA, and definitely the Gilas games, check out one of his recent stint at ABS-CBN Sports and Action as he dissect some keys on why Gilas Pilipinas defeated the all mighty Iran.

2015 FIBA Asia Championship Full details and Schedule

2015 FIBA Asia Championship Full details and Schedule
Screenshot courtesy of FIBA Asia

The FIBA Asia is upon as and as a sports fan, I can already feel the chills and the excitement that this would bring to all basketball fans around Asia. you cannot miss a single shot, this is what we have been preparing for, The players are ready, Are you?  Well you better be.

check out the details schedule of the FIBA Asia Championship!

Watch 2015 FIBA Asia Championship live

Preliminary Round Groups

Group A – Iran, Japan, Malaysia, India
Group B – Philippines, Palestine, Kuwait, Hong Kong
Group C – South Korea, Jordan, Singapore, China
Group D – Chinese-Taipei, Lebanon, Qatar, Kazakhstan

Preliminary Round – Each team will play all of the teams from its group once. The top three teams with the best record advance to the second round.

Preliminary Round Schedule

Wednesday, September 23
Venue: CSWC Dayun
9:30am – Kuwait vs Hong Kong
11:45am – Philippines vs Palestine
2:30pm – Iran vs Japan
4:45pm – South Korea vs Jordan
7:30pm – Singapore vs China
9:30pm – Chinese-Taipei vs Lebanon
Venue: CSUFT
7:30pm – Malaysia vs India
9:30pm – Qatar vs Kazakhstan

Thursday, September 24

Venue: CSWC Dayun
9:30am – Philippines vs Hong Kong
11:45am – Iran vs India
2:30pm – Japan vs Malaysia
4:45pm – Chinese-Taipei vs Kazakhstan
7:30pm – South Korea vs China
9:30pm – Lebanon vs Qatar
Venue: CSUFT
7:30pm – Palestine vs Kuwait
9:30pm – Jordan vs Singapore

Friday, September 25

Venue: CSWC Dayun

9:30am – Malaysia vs Iran
11:45am – Singapore vs South Korea
2:30pm – India vs Japan
4:45pm – Kuwait vs Philippines
7:30pm – China vs Jordan
9:30pm – Qatar vs Chinese-Taipei
Venue: CSUFT
7:30pm – Hong Kong vs Palestine
9:30pm – Kazakhstan vs Lebanon

Watch 2015 FIBA Asia Championship live

Second Round Groups

Group E – Top 3 Teams in Group A and Top 3 Teams in Group B
Group F – Top 3 Teams in Group C and Top 3 Teams in Group D

Second Round – The results against the teams that had also qualified would carry over. The teams shall play the teams from the group they had not faced before. The top four teams from each group would proceed to the final round

Second Round Schedule
Sunday, September 27 – TBA
Monday, September 28 – TBA
Tuesday, September 29 – TBA

Watch 2015 FIBA Asia Championship live

Final Round – The champion will qualify to the 2016 Summer Olympics. The runner-up, third and fourth placer will qualify to the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Final Round Schedule
Thursday, October 1 – Quarterfinals – TBA
Friday, October 2 – Semifinals – TBA
Saturday, October 3 – Finals – TBA

2015 FIBA Asia Championship Venues:
CSWC Dayun (Changsha Social Work College Gymnasium)
CSUFT (Central South University of Forestry and Technology Gymnasium)

Go Gilas Pilipinas! share and like with your friends!  Show your support and comment below!

Source: http://www.fiba.com/asia/2015/fullschedule

Gilas Pilipinas 12-man player line-up at FIBA Asia

Gilas Pilipinas 12-man roster was released today to compete at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship later this month in China.

Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson was not included in the final line-up since SBP were not able to secure clearances on time.

“We did all that we could to have Jordan Clarkson join Gilas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship but we are saddened to report that we are not able to beat the deadline to secure the necessary clearances on time,” from SBP in its release.

Philippines vs India – Highlights Quarter Final – 2014 FIBA Asia Cup

Philippines vs India - Highlights FIBA


Watch the quarter final highlights of Philippines v India at the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup. 

Gilas Pilipinas defeated India, 70-66 in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup Quarterfinals in Wuhan, China.Philippines will face Iran in the Semifinals while Chinese-Taipei will face China in the other Semifinals matchup.

FIBA Asia – Top 10 plays of the tournament video

So Aside from Iran’s Hamed Hadadi dominating the tournament are there any other highlights or interesting plays in the recently concluded 2013 FIBA Asia Tournament? hmmp..
Of-course there are, and our very own Japeth Aguilar made the cut of the top 10 plays of the FIBA Asia tournament. Check it out below.



What play should be number 1, really?

Do you like the logo of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship?

For a long time the Philippines has not hosted FIBA Asia championship event, exactly 40 years ago.This year we were lucky enough to host it, thanks to Manuel Pangilinan, MOA and other SBP officials. This event is long overdue as many Filipino fans are expecting our National team to get a championship once again.

Do you like the logo of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship?

Smart Gilas vs Macau Results and Photos

I know that Smart Gilas will win against Macau today but I did not envision that it will be a massacre, the young and inexperience Macau team could not do anything to contained the Philippines. Check out the article regarding Smart Gilas vs Macau below and the Smart Gilas vs Macau Results and Photos.

—

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team hardly needed naturalized center Marcus Douthit as they thumped an overmatched Macau side, 98-46, to close their Group A campaign with a 3-1 record and at least a tie for the top spot of their group in the 4th FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

Jeff Chan scored 18 points while Jay-R Reyes and Gary David scored 12 points apiece as the Philippines cruised for their third victory despite opting to give Douthit the day off.

SMART-Gilas showed they were clearly a class above their opponents, a team with an average age of just 20 years old and whose tallest player stood at just 6-foot-7, as they fired off a 14-0 run right off the bat.

Ranidel De Ocampo opened scoring with an easy hook shot off of nice spin move, Matt Rosser had a big alley-oop dunk off of an LA Tenorio lob, and Jeff Chan knocked down shots right and left as SMART-Gilas scored a whopping 33 points in a huge first quarter.

Chan, fresh off a breakout performance in their previous game, scored 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting, including three three-pointers, in the opening period that saw the Filipinos lead by 19 points.

Macau tried to put up more of a fight in the second quarter, outscoring the Philippines 18-12 to start the second period to come to within 13, 45-32, with 2:42 remaining. But Rosser scored on a tough layup, Gabe Norwood hit a corner three and Chan knocked down another triple from the opposite corner as they re-established control of the game with an 8-0 run.

SMART-Gilas closed the first half with a 55-33 advantage, hitting 23-for-39 (59%) from the field and 8-for-17 (47%) from the three-point line.

David then caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 10 points as SMART-Gilas opened leads of as high as 42 points, the last on a Jared Dillinger basket with just three seconds left in the period, before pushing the advantage up to 52 points in the fourth quarter as they cruised to the easy win.

The Philippines allowed just 13 points for Macau in the entire second half, while scoring 43 points.

SMART-Gilas dominated every aspect of the game, outscoring their opponents 46-14 in points in the paint while shooting a 41% clip from three-point range. They also had 24 assists, led by nine from Rosser, who had one more assist than the entire Macau squad combined.

SMART-Gilas momentarily takes the Group A lead, but Lebanon (2-1) and China (1-1) are both expected to sweep their games against lightweight opponents to force a potential three-way tie on top heading into the eight-team quarterfinals.

source : AKTV

Smart Gilas vs Macau  scores:

SMART-Gilas Pilipinas (98) – Chan 18, David 12, Reyes 12, Dillinger 11, Rosser 11, Norwood 9, Tenorio 7, Fonacier 6, Thoss 6, De Ocampo 4, Villanueva 2.

Macau (46) – Lao 14, Cheong 12, Lo 10, Cai 6, Lai 4, K. Iong 0, N. Iong 0, Wong 0.

Quarterscores: 33-14, 55-33, 83-41, 98-46.

Smart Gilas vs Macau Photos from FIBA Asia website

 Jeff Chan Sharp Shooting


Gabe Norwood dunk
Sonny Thoss  toss the ball

FIBA Asia Cup in Japan next for Smart Gilas

A day after the Philippines won the 2012, 34th Jones Cup championship, Filipino’s still can get enough of the Philippine National Basketball team in fact the nation is looking forward to another outstanding performance from the Chot Reyes coached Smart Gilas. The Tokyo 2012 FIBA Asia Cup is around the corner in fact it is just a less than a month before this tournament begins. September 14th is the tip off day and while Jones Cup is merely an exhibition or training for the Philippine squad, the FIBA Asia cup in Tokyo is a qualifying event for the FIBA world cup event that will be held in Spain, something that Filipino Basketball fans and players rarely get watch and compete.  With the recent win of the Smart Gilas Filipino’s have more reason to hope for a good finish if not a win against the best of Asia. Here are some details of the upcoming 2102 Tokyo FIBA Asia Cup.

Source: FIBA

Watch the best prepare to be the best!

Winner automatically qualifies for 2013 FIBA Asia Championship

·         The 4th FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup is the qualifying event for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship in 2013, which in turn will be the qualifying event for 2014 FIBA World Cup to be held in Spain.

·         The winners of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup will automatically qualify for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship in 2013.

 ·         The top four teams at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup will earn additional berths for their respective FIBA Asia sub zones.

 ·         This is the first time Japan will host the FIBA Asia Cup.

·         A FIBA Asia event for men returns to Japan after a gap of five years – the 24th FIBA  Asia Championship at Tokushima in 2007 being the previous occasions.

·         Japan, however, hosted the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women at Omura last year.

 ·         Japan has also hosted the FIBA Asia Championship on four other earlier occasions – Tokyo 1971, Nagoya 1979, Kobe 1991 and Fukuoka 1999 being them.

·         The 4th FIBA Asia Cup will witness the maiden appearance of 15 times FIBA Asia champions China in this competition. China are the reigning FIBA Asia champions having won the gold at the 26th FIBA Asia Championship at Wuhan last year.

·         GCC powerhouse Qatar are the only team to have appeared in all the previous editions of this event – then known as FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup. Qatar were also the champions in its inaugural edition in 2004 at Chinese Taipei.



2012 FIBA Asia Cup Details

Official Name
4th FIBA Asia Cup

Dates
Sept 14 – 22, 2012

City
Tokyo, JAPAN

Venue
Ota City General Gymnasium
1-11-1, Higashi Kamata,
Ota-ku, Tokyom 144-0031

Organizer
LOC 4th FIBA Asia Cup under the aegis
of Japan Basketball Association

Official website
http://tokyo2012.fibaasia.net

Participating Teams
·         East Asia: China, Ch. Taipei, Japan, Macau
·         S.East Asia: Philippines.
·         South Asia: India
·         Central Asia: Uzbekistan.
·         Gulf: Qatar
·         West Asia: Iran, Lebanon.

Groupings for Preliminary Round
Group A
·         China (CHN)
·         Lebanon (LIB)
·         Macau (MAC)
·         Philippines (PHI)
·         Uzbekistan (UZB)

Group B
·         Ch. Taipei (TPE)
·         Iran (IRI)
·         Japan (JPN)
·         Qatar (QAT)
·         India (IND)

System of Competition

·         The 10 teams are drawn into two Groups of five each for the Preliminary Round.
·         Each team will play all the others in their respective Groups.
·         The top four from each Group will advance to the Quarterfinal play-offs.

Korean Novela in Wuhan: Philippines Dream Shattered

Sad Ending to a Promising Start for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas

An excellent start has ended with ah ah  well ended. Smart Gilas won almost every game in the elimination round of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China. Smart Gilas was cruising the elimination round and was playing like a well oiled machine. They are poised to win it all, but what seemed to be a good sign of things to come turned out to be a  preparation for a much bigger heartache. Oh well it must’ve felt like falling down from Mt Everest and landing face first on a rock and to make matter worst we lost to the same team that gave us the same feeling back in the Asian games. 

I hate Koreans, Koreans made us cry with their telenovelas and it looks like its the same with basketball.
 
The Philippine team  played their heart out but just could not pull it off when it mattered the most. Last two games were the biggest games for the Philippines of the tournament but just (exhale) could not hold the lead. The loss to Jordan was acceptable it was really a bad game for the Philippines but with the lost to the Koreans was just painful. Losing this way to the Koreans is just , is just……… I cant find the words to explain, its more than upsetting. Imagine leading the whole game just to give it away in the end. Its a total eclipse of the heart. Smart Gilas is a very talented team however they showed that they are bunch of newbies choking themselves to death in the fourth quarter. 
What is next for the Smart Gilas? 
Most of these players are going pro so we will still see them play in the Philippine Basketball Association so this means that the national squad would have to rebuild once again and start a new.  Well cycle goes on and the quest for the Philippines to reach the Olympics would have to be on hold for now however the road to being one of the supreme team in Asia is still open, its long way ahead but its now clearer, with this tournament we have established once again that we are a team to beat in Asia and our quest to be on top of the podium is within the grasp of our hand. Sooner hopefully not later we will be the the number 1 team in Asia once again, we should be as we are the craziest basketball fan in the world.

I am still proud of our Philippine basketball team.  Go Smart Gilas!  

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2011 FIBA Asia Championship Final Standing

2011 FIBA Asia Result

Its hard to look at this standing as we suffered defeats in our last two games to be disqualified for the Olympic . Jordan and Korea gave two major defeats that left our hunt for basketball glory tumbling down. I can still feel how upsetting loosing to the Koreans. 


1. China (Gold) – 2012 Summer Olympics – London
2. Jordan (Silver) – 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
3. Korea (Bronze) – 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
4. Philippines
5. Iran
6. Lebanon
7. Japan
8. Chinese Taipei
9. Syria
10. United Arab Emirates
11. Malaysia
12. Uzbekistan
13. Indonesia
14. India
15. Bahrain
16. Qatar

FIBA Asia All-Star/Mythical Five:
Daghles (Jordan), Kawamura (Japan), Bahrami (Iran), Yi Jianlian (China), Haddadi (Iran)

FIBA Asia Most Valuable Player:
Yi Jianlian (China)

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FIBA Asia 2011 (Day 1 Game Results) Smart Gilas Pilipinas vs UAE

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Philippines 92 – Baracael 15, Douthit 13, Taulava 13, Casio 11, Tiu 9, Barroca 9, de Ocampo 7, Alapag 6, Williams 5, Aguilar 4.

UAE 52 – Ahmed 12, Alhattawi 11, Ahmad 10, Alzaabi 7, Salem 6, Al Braiki 3, Abdalla 3, Banihammad 0, Alsari 0.

Quarters: 17-12, 41-20, 69-35, 92-52

Game Schedule & Results / September 15 (DAY 1)
09:00am – Jordan def. Syria, 71-58 [GAME STATS]
11:00am – I.R.Iran def. Ch. Taipei, 49-37 [GAME STATS]
1:30pm – Japan def. Indonesia, 81-59 [GAME STATS]
3:30pm – South Korea def. Malaysia, 89-42 [GAME STATS]
6:00pm – Philippines def. UAE, 92-52 [GAME STATS]
6:00pm – Uzbekistan def. Qatar by default [NEWS]
8:00pm – China def. Bahrain, 101-49 [GAME STATS]
8:00pm – Lebanon def. India, 71-68 [GAME STATS]

Smart Gilas Pilipinas SEABA 2011 champion, its a start

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by: powsalud|powcast.net

Smart Gilas needed to win this Championship not because it proves anything but because they needed some moral boosting to keep the team spirit high. Smart Gilas crushed the Indonesians with a score of 89 -50. Under man Smart Gilas proves that they belong in the big league with dominating win after another in the SEABA tournament culminating to the  SEABA championship crown.  With four players in double figure Smart Gilas continues to improve and hopefully be able to catch up on their goals. Next up Jones Cup and FIBA Asia. Good luck team.

The Scores:

Philippines 89 – Barroca 17, Douthit 16, Tiu 13, Baracael 12, Aguilar 9, Lutz 7, Ababou 6, Casio 5, Ballesteros 4

Indonesia 50 – Gunawan 14, Ahmad 12, Prawiro 11, Indrawan 4, Paedjakesuma 4, Prihantono 3, Setepu 2, Situmorang 0, Dewanto 0, Chandra 0, Thoyib 0, Wyusang 0.

Quarters: 31-10, 46-27, 67-35, 89-50

PHL into SEABA 2011 Finals vs. Indonesia

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by: powsalud|powcast.net

Smart Gilas Pilipinas overwhelmed Singapore with an emphatic 106-51 win. It was total domination as Singapore had nothing to answer against the offensive onslaught of the Philippines. This mark their 3rd win in a row which qualified the team to the finals and the FIBA Asia to be held in Wuhan, China in September.
Philippines 106 – Aguilar 18, Barroca 18, Baracael 17, Ababou 14, Tiu 11, Lutz 11, Douthit 8, Casio 5, Ballesteros 4

Singapore 51 – Wong 20, Lim 10, Goh 6, Koh 4, Oh 4, Ng 3, Fok 2, Khoo 2, Folkoff 0, Wu 0, Matialakan 0, Koh 0,

Quarters: 30-9, 60-23, 77-43, 106-51

Smart Gilas slain the KL Dragons of Malaysia

by: powsalud|powcast.net

Smart Gilas cruises to another victory as they defeated the Malaysian squad with yet another high percentage shooting at 51% field goal and 50% at the 3 points territory. 
This time it’s not just Japeth Aguilar who shone but 5 other players from the Philippine squad were in double figures including Dondon Hontiveros who was unproductive with his first game. The paint was also dominated by Smart Gilas as Asi Taulava and Marcus Douthit collected 26 boards matching the total of the Malaysian team.(stats here)

22nd FIBA Asia Championship cup Day 2 Results

22nd FIBA Asia Championship cup Day 2 Results
29/05/2011

Al Ittihad (KSA)       vs      Duhok (IRQ)    83-75 (view stats)
Al Rayyan (QAT)     vs      Al Jala’a (SYR) 90-67  (view stats) 
KL Dragons (MAS)    vs      Smart Gilas (PHI) 64-95 (view stats)    
Mahram (IRI)           vs     Al Shabab (UAE) 90-73 (view stats)    

Source: http://manila2011.fibaasia.net/

Smart Gilas hot shooting dipose Saudi’s

(powsalud) Excellent shooting and efficient overall game won it for the Philippine National Team Smart Gilas over the Saudi Arabia. 
It was the hot shooting percentage of Japeth Aguilar and Marcus Douthit that made this game a one sided affair.  however the two PBA players that was task to help the Nationals in the tournament was a none factor as Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros got only a combine 2 points in the game. (stats here)
Smart Gilas next game is against Westport KL Dragons, coached by Filipino Ariel Vanguardia

picture from FIBAASIA.net 

Taulava stint with Pinoy quintet this year his last

source: Noli Cortez | malaya.com.ph

BORACAY – Asi Taulava’s current stint with the national team will be his last.

So said the 38-year-old Fil-Tongan center on Thursday, saying the bump and grind of daily practice and actual participation in international tournaments are catching up to him, adding he wants to devote the rest of his playing career with his Meralco team in the PBA.


“I’m feeling my age and this is definitely my last national team,” said Taulava, who has played with national teams since 2002. He has been tapped anew to reinforce the Smart-Gilas squad gearing up for tournaments culminating in September’s FIBA-Asia tournament in China.

“I can’t imagine myself playing for my mother team and the national team until I’m 40. I mean, really, who was the last guy to be playing for the national team while he was 38, 40 years old?” added the slotman, who started his PBA career with Mobiline in 1998.

According to Taulava, his probable successors should include Alaska’s Sonny Thoss and San Miguel Beer’s Rabeh Al-Hussaini, who are also participating in the PBA All-Star Weekend in this island resort.

“They are among the best centers we have right now and they should also be given the privilege to wear the Philippine colors,” said Taulava.

First, he stressed, they must be ready to sacrifice.

“Sometimes, you have twice-a-day practices with the national team. Add that to your practices with your mother team and you can have a regular five-hour day. Easy,” he pointed out.

“And that’s only in-between conferences. When the conference is on, you also have to contend with at least a two-hour game.”

Taulava, the 2003 MVP, also played for the national team in the 2005 Jones Cup, the 2007 and 2009 FIBA-Asia tournaments and last year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Aside from Taulava, also reinforcing Gilas are Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros and Talk N Text’s Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams.

As a lead-up to the September regional qualifying for next year’s London Olympics, the Nationals are also set to compete in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup set to start on May 28 and the Jones Cup in August.

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tags: Asi Taulava, Smart Gilas, Fiba Asia

Ex-Gilas import in Saudi team

source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph

Smart-Gilas Pilipinas Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman knows a few things about Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, the first opponent of the national team in the 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup beginning May 28 at the Philsports Arena.


According to Toroman, Al Ittihad will be reinforced by former Smart-Gilas import CJ Giles while their coach, Nenad Krdjic, is also a Serbian and a former assistant when he was still coaching a club team in his country in the late ’90s.

However, though Toroman knows little about Al Ittihad, he said that this team is a tough opponent considering its recent success in a tournament in the Middle East.

“They had good result in the gulf, so I’m sure they will be dangerous opponent,” said Toroman. “I know they will come prepared for this tournament, they acquired Giles and another American import.”

Last year in the Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar, the 6-foot-10 Giles, who suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, played for Lebanon. His contract with the team wasn’t renewed, reason why he transferred to Al Ittihad.

He was the first import of Smart-Gilas, but things did not materialized when he was released by management.

Smart-Gilas and Al Ittihad are in Group A together with the Malaysia KL Dragons, Iraq’s Duhok and Jordan (ASU), while in Group B are three-time defending champion I.R. Iran-Mahram, Lebanon-Al Riyadi, Qatar-Al Rayyan, Syria-Al Jala’a and UAE-Al Shabab.

The Philippines will play Malaysia on May 29, then the Nationals will have rest the following day. They will resume their campaign on May 31 against Iraq and face Jordan on June 1.

“I still have to see the lineup of Jordan. But if they’ll bring the members of their national team, they will be strong,” Toroman said.

The top four teams from each group will move to the crossover knockout quarterfinal round, and Toroman said that it’s important for them to finish No. 1 in Group A to face No. 4 team from Group B, either Syria or Qatar.

“Our goal of course is to make it to the Finals. Our group is a little easy compared to the other group, but in the quarterfinals, it will be tough from there. So we’ll see. The team is confident to make the Finals,” Toroman said.

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tags: Smart Gilas, Smart Gilas FIBA ASIA

Hontiveros, Taulava to join Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA Asia

source: Rey Joble | gmanews.tv
Philippine Basketball Association veteran stars Dondon Hontiveros of Air21 and Asi Taulava of Meralco are expected to join the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas squad in next month’s FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

Frankie Lim, team manager of Smart Gilas, confirmed this development to GMA News.
“It’s a pre-approved deal,” said Lim in an interview Sunday night after his team lost to the Ginebra Gin Kings, 85-92, in Game 4 of their PBA best-of-five semifinals series.
“I don’t see any problem in getting their services. We really need them to reinforce our campaign in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup. Eventually, they will become members of the squad and play for the FIBA Asia Championship,” added Lim.
The Philippines will host the 10-nation FIBA Asia Champions Cup to be held at the Philsports Arena from May 28 to June 5.
National team coach Rajko Toroman added Hontiveros and Taulava will become key additions to their squad.
“We really need them. They’ve become more of a necessity for us right now with Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag of Talk N Text playing in the PBA Finals,” said Toroman.
Air21 coach Bong Ramos said in a telephone interview that he was informed by the Express management of Smart Glas’ request to have Hontiveros joining the squad in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
“Hindi ko naman siya pipigilan dahil national team ‘yan,” said Ramos.
Ryan Gregorio, Taulava’s coach at Meralco, said he will approve Taulava’s inclusion to Gilas as long as there is management’s approval.
“Yes, if it’s for the country, it’s non-negotiable and there’s no reason to disagree in loaning Asi to Gilas,” said Gregorio in a text message. “But of course, it is subject to approval. If Meralco management agrees, I will not get in the way.”
Hontiveros and Taulava were teammates in the all-pro national team to the 2002 Asian Games in Busan and the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship in Tokushima. – Rey Joble, GMA News


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