CJ Giles keeps options open on RP team return

American CJ Giles, who became a thorn for the Philippines when he played for Al Riyad of Lebanon in the recent 21st FIBA-Asia Championship Cup in Doha, Qatar said he was keeping his options open when asked if he was willing to play for the Philippines again.

Giles had briefly played for the Smart-Gilas team and was instrumental in the RP team’s fifth place finish last year in the FIBA-Asia meet in Jakarta.

But he was cut from the RP roster by Gilas coach Rajko Toroman reportedly because of attitude issues.

“We’ll talk to my agent and see what happens,” Giles, 24, said when reporters caught up with him at the Doha airport the other day.

Giles helped his Lebanese team to a third place finish in the FIBA-Asia meet where the Philippines was seventh among 10 teams. Against the Philippines, Lebanon won, 74-63.

A former player of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, Giles is remembered as the first import tapped for the all-amateur national team, which was formed July last year.

While he might consider returning to the national team if an offer is made, Giles said he’s also not shutting doors for opportunities to play in the NBA again.

“I got opportunities to play in the NBA Summer League. But I don’t know yet what will happen. I have to see when I get back to the United States.”

The Smart-Gilas is also weighing its options on Nigerian born player Olumide Oyedeji, who played for the Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma City Thunders) in the NBA and saw action for the Applied Sciences University (ASU) of Jordan in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup.

Toroman and his coaching staff have been scouring the international basketball scene looking for players with potential to become naturalized players for Smart-Gilas.

Several are currently trying out but none so far has captured the eye of Toroman.

Al Riyadi cagers usher Gilas to FIBA exit door

There will be no semifinals stint for Smart-Gilas Pilipinas in this year’s FIBA Asia Champions Cup. The Filipinos found no answer to Fadi El Khatib, who proved to be the scourge of the national team aspirants all game long.

El Khatib, an NBA veteran, scored 12 of his 24 points in the final period and carried Al Riyadi-Beirut to a 74-63 win and into the semis of this tournament at the Al Gharaffa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

The Filipinos battled the Lebanese toe-to-toe for most of the way, but couldn’t stop this one man wrecking crew, who steered his team to its third straight semifinals stint in this tournament.

Al Riyadi finished third last year and fourth in 2008.

For Smart-Gilas, its best consolation right now is to match its previous fifth-place finish in Indonesia last year. The team is already out of the running for the semifinals and the medal race.

The Filipinos lost four of their five games so far with their lone victory coming off a buzzer-beater by import Milan Vucicevic that gave the Filipinos a 76-74 win.

Smart-Gilas plays Al Jalaa Syria Saturday at 4 p.m. (10 p.m. Manila time) for the battle for fifth to eighth places in the standings.

Rony Fahed finished with 15 points, built around four triples while former San Miguel Beer import Nate Johnson also added 15.

Al Riyadi will face defending champion Mahram-Iran in the semis Saturday.

Vucicevic played his most productive game for the Filipinos, scoring 22 points followed by Mark Barroca’s 15.

The semifinals cast in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup will be composed of four teams from the Middle East – Iran, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan.

Since 1999, the FIBA Asia Champions Cup was dominated by Middle Eastern countries and this year will be no different.

Host Qatar’s Al Rayyan squad, the only unbeaten team just like Al Riyadi, crushed Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, 97-59. Jordan’s Applied Science University stamped its class on Kazakhstan’s Astana Tigers, 74-59. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV

Smart Gilas all set for FIBA Asia Champions Cup

by Chris Tiu | chris-tiu.blogspot.com

Competition is even tougher this year since almost all teams are fielding in their national teams plus 2 imports. Last year in Jakarta, we finished 5th.

With our current lineup, our goal is to make it to the semis. Then take it from there. Iran (Mahram) is fielding their national team with the usual two imports, Jackson Vroman (6'10) and Loren Woods (7'1), both former NBA players.

Lebanon (Al Riyadi) is also fielding in its national players, including Fadi El Khatib, plus 2 imports Nate Johnson and CJ Giles. Same goes for Qatar.

Kazakhstan is fielding its national team composed of players who participated in Tokoshima in 2007 & finished 4th place.

On our part, we're shorthanded right now because we're missing JV Casio, Marcio Lassiter & JR Cawaling in our lineup due to injuries. JV, who was the best point guard of the tournament in Dubai, provides stability in the team as our main PG. We will miss his ability to score & create plays. RJ Jazul, who is a natural shooting guard, will have to step up & play the point position.

I think i will have to play PG sometimes as well. Without Marcio, we will be losing some toughness inside the court bec of his physicality and aggressivity on both ends of the floor. He doesn't hesitate to dive on the ground for loose balls and that can be contagious.

JR Cawaling is a very skilled & creative player, too bad his knee is really bothering him. Instead, Rey Guevarra, my roommate, was chosen to be part of the 12-man lineup since this is FIBA sanctioned tournament. Both JV & JR are with us here in Qatar, while Marcio is back home in Manila doing therapy.

On the other hand, Chris Lutz arrived in Manila on Tuesday & is part of the 12-man lineup. He plays the position 2 & 3. He's very skilled, athletic and smart. But 2 days of practice is definitely not enough to learn the system of Coach Rajko thoroughly. He's still familiarizing himself w/ the very complicated plays.

For sure he will provide a huge lift once he adapts himself to the system & the team. We also have a Serbian import, Milan, who has been practicing w/ us for about a week & a half now. He stands around 6'9 but is not the most athletic & quickest player. He has a decent middle range though & has a wide body to bang w/ the opposing bigs.

Let's see how we'll fare in this tournament. It will be very very tough so I ask for all your prayers for us to play our A games and be injury-free. If you happen to live here in Doha, please come and watch the games!

I believe they purposely scheduled Smart Gilas games at 8pm to draw the Filipino crowd here, which has certainly infiltrated the scarce population of Qatar.

Your presence truly means a lot! Let's overwhelm the opposing teams by having the largest gallery! GO PILIPINAS!

Gilas coach hopes PBA board loans Williams

If Smart-Gilas coach Rajko Toroman will have his way, he would like to have former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player (MVP) Kelly Williams joining his squad for the Guangzhou Asian Games.

"Yes, we want to include him (Williams) to the Asian Games, but it will depend also on the PBA," said Toroman in a text message sent to GMANews.TV.

Toroman, the man responsible for steering Iran to the FIBA Asia Championship crown in 2007 that enabled the country to earn an Olympic berth in Beijing, was vocal about Williams’ inclusion.

Perhaps, the first step towards Williams joining Smart-Gilas had already been achieved after Talk ‘N Text acquired him and Ryan Reyes in a three-team, nine-player trade.

Like Smart-Gilas, Talk ‘N Text is one among the few teams being bankrolled by businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan.

But Toroman still needs the PBA board’s approval in loaning Williams to the Gilas developmental squad, which is a non-PBA member.

Williams will definitely not be included in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup set to begin next week in Doha, Qatar.

Talented Filipino-American guard Chris Lutz, however, will join the team in Doha after the Marshall University standout arrived Tuesday from the United States. He is expected to take the place of Marcio Lassiter, who suffered a slight tear on his right knee.

"Maybe Lutz can replace him, but we will see," said Toroman.

Lutz, a 24-year-old combo guard, was the all-time leading scorer while playing for Trinity High School before going to the Thundering Herd. The 6-foot-3 Lutz averaged 8.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists while playing for the US NCAA Division I team.

He once worked out for the national developmental team and quickly impressed everyone, including Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes.

“I had the opportunity of seeing (Lutz) play here. Smart-Gilas was playing tune up games against us and I was impressed with his versatility. He can shoot, can slash and plays with a lot of energy," said Reyes.

Lutz will definitely be a welcome addition to the Gilas squad battered with injuries. Team captain Christ Tiu is playing with an injury along with Mark Baracael, JR Cawaling and guard JV Casio, who was named the best playmaker in a Dubai meet but is now rehabilitating from an ACL injury.

"Not so nice for the team right now because we have a lot of injuries," said Toroman. "We have a lot of work to do in the Champions Cup because all teams go to Doha to win."

Slaughter, Serbian import bolster Gilas’ frontline

"He’s getting better and better," said Toroman on the 6-foot-11 pride of University of Visayas, who will suit up for the Ateneo Eagles in next year’s UAAP wars.

Serbian import Milan Vucicevic, according to Toroman, had slowly got himself accustomed with the Philippines’ hot and humid conditions as well as with his teammates.

Vucicevic had various stints in basketball leagues in Cyprus, Oman, Ukraine, Greece and Poland. He is described by Toroman as a "good player, with a good attitude."

"If he could help enough the team, we’ll make a deal with him after Doha. It’s all up to him," said Toroman of the Serbian import. – JVP/Rey Joble, GMANews.TV

Smart Gilas may tap Iowa standout

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas hopes to finally tap American Jared Homan as its candidate for naturalization in time for the team’s stint in the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar next month.

Smart Gilas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said they’re close to getting the 6-10, 250-pound Homan, a former Iowa State standout currently playing for Maroussi in the Greek League.

“We hope we’ll make an agreement with Jared Homan to be our guy for naturalization,” said Toroman during their first practice since returning from their Serbian campaign at the Meralco gym Monday night.

“I was talking yesterday (Sunday) with him and I think he’s positive about our offer in the next 24 hours. We’ll see if we will make an agreement with him,” he said.

Homan played 125 games for Iowa State from 2001 to 2005, averaging 3.6 points on his first year before progressing to 7.1, 11.5, 13.6 points the following seasons.

He later suited up for Maroussi in Greece where he piled norms of seven points in 19 minutes and later played for ASCO Wroclaw where he had an impressive 17.7-point average in just about 25 minutes an outing.

“He’s (Homan) an excellent player. He’s playing in the Euro League in Greece. He’s playing on the highest level and he was very competitive. I think he’s kind of guy who can help us a lot,” said Toroman.

Smart Gilas earlier eyed the likes of talented imports Dwayne Jones, Brian Butch and Earl Barron, who have all joined NBA teams.

Jones, one of Toroman’s top choices, went to the Phoenix Suns while Butch and Barron, a former PBA import, wound up with the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks, respectively.

Even Greg Stiemsma, who was last in the team’s short list, ended up being picked up by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

If Smart Gilas and Homan come to terms, the latter is expected to join the Nationals in the Champions’ Cup this May in Doha where they hope to improve on the country’s fifth place finish in Jakarta last year.

The team also hopes to have Homan naturalized in time for this November’s Guangzhou Asian Games.

Smart Gilas is eyeing the top spot in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship for a slot in the 2012 London Olympics.

RP Gilas trips Syrians, bags 3rd place in Dubai caging

SOURCE: GMANEWS.TV

DUBAI - The Smart Gilas Pilipinas team avenged its only loss in the elimination round of the 21st Dubai International Basketball Championship by defeating Jalaa of Syria 107-98 to grab third place honors in the tournament.

It was yet another come-from-behind victory as Smart Gilas, playing all-Filipino once again, never had the upperhand in the tight contest until Chris Tiu’s free throws off a technical foul on Jalaa’s assistant coach gave the Filipinos a 78-76 lead.

From there, Smart Gilas never relinquished control, leading by as many as 11 points, 97-86, with 1:09 left on two free throws by Marnel Baracael.

Smart Gilas' sniping from the three-point area from Baracael, Mark Barocca, Tiu and JV Casio, as well as gutsy penetrations from Barocca over the taller defenders of the Jalaa squad resulted in their breakaway from an erstwhile tight ballgame.

The Nationals trailed at every end of the first three quarters, 18-26 in the first, 40-48 in the second and 67-70 in the third, before making their move in the final canto en route to a vengeful win over the Syrians. Jalaa accounted for Gilas’ 76-90 at the start of the tournament.

Casio, a former gunner from La Salle, was also adjudged the best point guard of the tournament. - Albert Alba, GMANews.TV

RP Gilas makes semis of Dubai basketball meet

SOURCE: GMANEWS.TV

DUBAI — Smart Gilas Pilipinas crashed into the semifinals of the 21st Dubai International Tournament after fending off Egypt's Al Jazeera, 82-78, Wednesday night (early Thursday in Manila) before a horde of overseas Filipino workers at the Al Ahli Club here.

Skipper Chris Tiu converted five freethrows in the dying seconds as the RP dribblers advanced to the Final Four match against Al-Riyadi of Lebanon – a team bannered by ex-Gilas reinforcement CJ Giles and former PBA import Nate Johnson - Friday night.

Tiu's end-game courage sustained a game-long brilliance by Marnel Baracael, who pumped in 24 points, including the go-ahead basket with under two minutes to play.

Baracael's floater broke the final deadlock and gave Gilas a 77-75 edge.

The Nationals then stifled the Egyptians in the next two possessions before Tiu started hitting his freebies.

Tiu nailed the last two freethrows with just a fraction of a second left after a flagrant foul that assured victory for the Filipinos.

"We played with a big heart. But still, we're not satisfied. We want to go to the Finals,'' said RP coach Rajko Toroman.

Toroman shifted to the zone after Gilas fell behind by 15 in the closing minutes of the second.

It proved favorable and allowed Gilas to take the driver's seat midway in the third, 53-48, after shooting excellently from long range.

Jason Ballesteros again filled in the need for an able slotman after Jamal Sampson spent the entire second half on the bench while Marco Lassiter impressed Toroman with his hustle and steals.

Mark Barroca and JV Casio were also instrumental during their fightback from a 24-39 deficit with Casio nailing two threes during a 12-0 third-quarter run.

"We're up at the start. But we're down by 15 in the second quarter and went up again for the win,'' said Toroman. "These things show the character of this team.''

The Egyptians wiped out the Filipinos’ 14-6 lead by firing 15 consecutive points through Jarred Merill and Shref Guneidi.

Gilas then tightened the noose in the zone while shooting torridly from all angles to overhaul the Egyptian advantage.

After Casio's triple forced a deadlock at 48, Baracael and Lassiter scored five more points, allowing Gilas to take control entering the fourth. - with reports from Albert Alba, GMANews.TV

Smart gilas vs Al Nasr (VIDEO)

CREDITS GO TO generalboy of IBN

Frankie Lim to take over Smart Gilas management from Noli Eala

FROM QUINITO HENSON

I wanted to write about this big development a couple of days ago, but more important things at my day job kept me busy. Rey Joble broke the news that erstwhile Talk N Text team manager Frankie Lim was taking over the management of Smart Gilas, whose day-to-day operations were being handled by Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala. Interestingly, Joble was the same guy who reported that the SBP had offered the controversial Japeth Aguilar an P18-m contract to jump ship from Burger King to Smart Gilas, which belied earlier claims by Eala that they had not offered Aguilar anything.

The SBP issued a statement officially announcing the move on Thursday evening. It quoted SBP Vice Chairman and Talk N Text team governor Ricky Vargas explaining the decision.

SMART APPOINT LIM GILAS TEAM MANAGER

FRANKIE Lim, the multi-titled NCAA champion coach of the San Beda Red Lions and former national player, has been appointed team manager of the Smart Gilas national team effective Feb. 1.

Lim, who sits as team manager of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association, will be “on loan” to the RP team now in deep training for the coming Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Assuming the top managerial post with the Tropang Texters is former national juniors and De La Salle Green Archers coach Virgil Villavicencio.

Former PBA chairman and Talk ‘N Text governor Ricky Vargas made the announcement yesterday afternoon, saying Smart Gilas needed a team manager who would be “more focused on the day-to-day operations, has coaching experience, and has been part of the national team as a player.”

Added Vargas: “We’re redefining accountability in the national team.”

Former PBA commissioner Noli Eala, who has been serving as Smart Gilas team manager in his capacity as executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the national sports association governing local amateur basketball, will now “have more time to take care of his many responsibilities” with SBP, Vargas said.

“We’re taking some of the burden from the executive director,” said Vargas. “After all, aside from generating more membership for SBP, he still has to take care of our grassroots development program and our involvement in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association, the SEA Games, and the FIBA tournaments.”

Lim, according to the SBP vice chairman, will assume responsibility for the “day-to-day operations of Smart Gilas, its financial management, contracts, and recruitment of players.”

And having been a national player, Vargas said, Lim can work with Smart Gilas’ Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman “from a technical standpoint.”

A management committee, mainly comprised of SBP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Vargas and Eala, will oversee the Smart Gilas team’s overall preparation.

“There will be a proper turnover of functions from now to Feb. 1, and then Frankie will be taking over,” Vargas said.

A couple of things struck me about the statement. First, there was the curious line about “redefining accountability in the national team,” suggesting that there’s more to this than meets the eye. Was Eala less than accountable while managing the team?

In prior posts, I have raised questions about the trend of the Smart Gilas team having problems getting or holding on to players, as well as the sloppy job that the SBP has done in trying to find reinforcements for the team. (How’s Jamal “I’m injured every other game” Sampson working out for everyone?) Are these issues related to the move?

Second, Vargas’ statement underscored the importance of the SBP executive director attending to other duties within the organization. When grassroots basketball pioneer Nic Jorge resigned from the SBP last year, he complained that Eala’s only concern seemed to be the Rajko Toroman-coached national team. Other programs such as youth basketball development took a backseat.

Indeed, the SBP’s grassroots efforts have been handled by Eric Altamirano’s National Basketball Training Center, a program that was already in place prior to Eala assuming office, and that has been operating autonomously, with its own machinery and sponsorship. Apart from projects aimed to discover and develop young talent around the Philippines, the program has also prepared modules to provide training for coaches across the country.

It should be noted that Eala announced that Altamirano, fresh off coaching the youth squad to an impressive fourth place finish in the Fiba Asia U-16 Championship, was going to join Smart Gilas as an assistant coach. A few weeks later, however, Altamirano denied that he was joining the team, stating that the youth program was his top priority.

'Dubai tourney toughest'

FROM PHILSTAR.COM

DUBAI - A semifinal finish in what Serbian coach Rajko Toroman believes the toughest Asian tournament in a decade would be a big feat for an undermanned Smart Gilas Pilipinas side.

“I’ve never seen a tournament as strong as this in the whole of Asia in the last 10 years. I think it’s the strongest in the region,” said Toroman after getting a glimpse of the opposition in tune-up games held here the last few days.

The Filipinos, whose trip here is sponsored by Smart and supported by Nike and GMA 7, were to open their campaign in the prestigious Dubai Invitational basketball tournament versus Al Jalaa of Syria at the Ahli Club here last night.

The Syrians with three American reinforcements in Zendon Hamilton, Thompson Garnett and Demetric Shaw are among the fancied teams in the 10-day tourney allowing each team a maximum of three imports with two allowed to play at a time.

Hamilton is 6-foot-11 and Garnett 6-foot-9 while Shaw is a prolific and versatile 6’1” guard that should pose problems to Smart Gilas.

“Our goal is to make it to the semifinals. We would be happy to make it that far because this is really a tough tournament, maybe the toughest in the region in a decade,” said Toroman.

Smart Gilas, which split its two-game exhibition series with Qatar
in Doha before flying here, is also bracketed with Champville of Lebanon, Zain of Jordan and An Nasr of Saudi Arabia in Group B.

Group A is composed of Emirates Riyadi of Lebanon, Mahram of Iran, Al Darmaki of Wahda, Bank Alexandria of Egypt and Sultan Group of the host nation.

RP takes on Champville Lebanon today then Zain Jordan Sunday before capping its elimination-round campaign with a showdown with An Nasr Saudi Arabia Monday.

Smart Gilas is fielding in only one import in naturalization candidate Jamal Sampson, a 6-foot-11 NBA veteran.

Worse, the Filipinos would be without reigning UAAP finals MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Far Eastern U standout Aldrech Ramos, leaving Sampson, Japeth Aguilar and Jason Ballesteros to man the paint.

Al-Hussaini has begged off to concentrate on his studies at Ateneo while Ramos is under the weather.

In their absence, Sampson and new addition Filipino-American Marcio Lassiter have been providing tremendous energy.

“Although they’re not yet in basketball shape, they gave us added energy in defense,” said Toroman, referring to Sampson and Lassiter, a former Cal State Fullerton standout.

Sampson and Lassiter bannered the team’s cause in their series against Qatar.

Co-captains Chris Tiu and Mark Barroca along with Dylan Ababou, JV Casio, RJ Jazul, JR Cawaling, Mac Baracael, Greg Slaughter and Magi Sison are the other members of the team.

Notes: CJ Giles, RP’s former naturalization candidate, is now a naturalized Lebanese and would see action alongside fellow American émigré Jackson Vroman with Riyadi Lebanon in Group A...Former Talk N’ Text import Damien Cantrell, for his part, is suiting up with Zain of Jordan where he would play side by side with 6-foot-8 Ashante Jones and 6-foot-10 Kendall Dartez...JV Casio, who suffered contusion in a game with Alaska Milk late last year, is back practicing with the team and should see some action here.

PBA to give way to Smart Gilas in Asian cage meets

source: gmanews.tv

Enough of the old pick-up-system habit, it’s time for a more concrete program for the national basketball team to major Asian basketball tournaments.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is now mulling the possibility of ceasing to send an all-pro squad to continental competitions and instead give way to a team assembled for the long-term such as Smart Gilas.

“After the benefit game between (the all-pro) Powerade-Pilipinas and Smart Gilas, I was walking to the exit area going to the dugout along with Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan and I told him my thoughts about the game," PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said during the launch of the league’s 35th season.

"The game showed only one important thing -- that long term preparation is indeed much better than the pickup system of star players (from the PBA)," Barrios added.

The Smart Gilas squad of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman whipped the unprepared and short-handed Powerade-Pilipinas five of Yeng Guiao, 98-69, in their benefit game Monday night.

For Barrios, the game was a reality check that a pool of talents committed to play together for the long haul, and one that enjoys sufficient funding and training, is the ideal representive to the Asian Games and the FIBA Asia championship than a selection of PBA stars with crammed training.

The PBA has been actively involved in the creation of the RP cage squad since 1990, when former senator Robert Jaworski's crew brought home a silver medal in the Beijing Asian Games.

Ironically, it was the best-ever finish for an all-pro squad since the country started sending players in the elite tournaments nearly two decades ago. The 1994 squad coached by Norman Black finished only fourth in the Hiroshima Asiad, the Centennial Team of coach Tim Cone placed third in Thailand and the 2002 quintet of Jong Uichico in Busan was only good for fourth.

Worse, when the PBA set its sights on the Olympic and World Basketball qualifying tournaments, the RP 5 fumbled against powerhouse nations in the region with coach Chot Reyes’ RP five placing only ninth in Tokushima two years ago and Guiao’s wards finishing eighth in Tianjin only recently.

Under a memorandum of agreement between the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the local governing body for basketball, the pro league is tasked to handle the country’s campaign in the Asian Games and FIBA Asia tilt.

But with Smart Gilas - an assembly of the brightest amateur stars bound to stay together for three years leading to the 2012 Olympics – already set up, the PBA feels it’s time to pass the baton to this pool.

PBA chairman Lito Alvarez said several board members have already suggested an “exit plan" for the pro loop.

“Dati kasi may transition period pa ang BAP-SBP (early years of the national sports association for basketball). But since meron ng programa, it’s about time the PBA should think about the exit plan and let the SBP take care of forming up an RP squad which will train and play together for a long period of time. And I think Smart Gilas will be capable of representing the country," said Alvarez.

Smart Gilas is also set to play as a guest team in the coming PBA season as part of its long-term preparations for the big task ahead. - GMANews.TV

Smart Gilas routs Powerade-Pilipinas in charity game

source GMANEWS.TV

WATCH THE REPLAY OF THIS GAME [HERE]

The Smart Gilas team of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman has served notice of its readiness to play in the Philippine Basketball Association.

And they showed it by beating the country’s cream of the crop.

Relying not on anyone but everyone, Smart Gilas easily demolished an out-of-shape and undermanned Powerade-Pilipinas team, 98-69, Monday in the “Pinoy Basketball, Kakampi N’yo" fund-raising game at the Araneta Coliseum.

CJ Giles and Japeth Aguilar combined forces in possibly the most formidable frontline in Philippine basketball. Andy Barroca and JV Casio alternately played the point and held their own against their more experienced counterparts. And Dylan Ababou, Aldrech Ramos and Jason Ballesteros did a little bit of everything in handing Smart Gilas an easy triumph.

It was a game dominated by Toroman’s wards majority of the way.

They were only feeling their way around in the first few minutes of the first period, trailing by seven, 7-14, with James Yap and Willie Miller leading the way for Powerade.

Then came a big scoring outburst by Smart Gilas.

Giles and Aguilar made their presence felt inside and JV Casio fired a trey to cap off a big 17-5 exchange as the all-amateur team seized a 24-19 lead at the end of the first.

It was all Smart Gilas from there, leading by as many as 20 points twice in the third canto.

And with Giles and Chris Tiu combining for a one scintillating play to complete an alley-oop slam and push Smart Gilas to a 92-76 lead with only 2:16 left, the curtains finally fell on the all-pro Powerade-Pilipinas five, which didn’t have the chance of practicing since its eighth-place finish in the last FIBA Asia Championship.

Overall, Smart Gilas outplayed Powerade in almost all fronts.

Toroman’s troops shot the ball decently, making 37 of 78 attempts for a 47% clip, while Powerade struggled all game long and shot only 34%.

Smart Gilas, as expected, played better as a team, dishing out 17 assists more than Powerade-Pilipinas.

On rebounds, Giles, Aguilar and Ballesteros were too much as they terrorized the shaded lane and clobbered their rivals. Smart Gilas grabbed 60 rebounds to only 36 by Powerade.

Former Los Angeles Laker Giles finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds and five shot blocks for Smart Gilas, which will play as a guest team in the coming PBA wars. Aguilar, the controversial top overall pick who previously suited up for Powerade-RP, had 24 points and four rebounds.

A project of basketball stockholders in the country led by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the PBA, the game was held for the benefit of victims of tropical storm “Ondoy" and in memory of Barako Bull executive Tony Chua, who perished at the height of the storm.– GMANews.TV

Smart-Gilas ready for PBA

source philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Former PBA commissioner Noli Eala is returning to the league which he served for four years up to 2007 but his comeback will hardly be nostalgic. He is expected to sit on the Smart-Gilas bench beside Serbian coach Rajko Toroman when the national team plays 20 games in the PBA Philippine Cup that starts Oct. 11.

Only 10 of Gilas’ games will be counted in the standings of PBA teams as the balance of the outings is scheduled after the eliminations. Smart-Gilas makes its PBA debut against Burger King to open a triplebill at the Cuneta Astrodome on Oct. 16.

Eala said yesterday the Smart-Gilas lineup will include Japeth Aguilar but if the PBA decides to bar him from playing, the former Western Kentucky center will comply and sit out the action.

However, Aguilar is expected to suit up for Smart-Gilas when the squad takes on the Powerade PBA selection, coached by Yeng Guiao, in a benefit game for typhoon victims at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow.

Aguilar, 22, was picked first overall by Burger King in the PBA draft last August but has opted to play for Smart-Gilas in a late change of mind. The decision has been denounced by the PBA which is considering a lifetime ban on Aguilar.

Last week, Aguilar saw action for Smart-Gilas in the team’s 70-67 win over the Singapore Slingers in an exhibition game at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. He scored 14 points. The other day, Aguilar hit Smart-Gilas’ first 10 points in a practice game against Talk ‘N’ Text at the Moro Lorenzo Gym. The game was abbreviated with Smart-Gilas on top, 53-43.

“Coach Rajko thinks Japeth has the best basketball body in the Philippines today,” said Eala. “He’s coming along and his father (PBA veteran Peter who is based in Chicago) is happy with his development. Japeth is getting minutes with Smart-Gilas and that’s crucial in hastening his progress.”

Eala said he’s ambivalent about Smart-Gilas’ participation as a guest entry in the PBA.

“It’s great for Smart and an excellent opportunity for the players to mature,” he said. “But I’m worried about injuries. I’m also concerned about our players picking up habits, particularly in adjusting to calls, that will be a handicap in FIBA competitions. Still, I’m excited for the team and I know we’ll play well. Coach Rajko definitely wants to win.”

Eala said he’s not sure if Ateneo star Rabeh Al-Hussaini will be in the Smart-Gilas roster. He will meet with Al-Hussaini’s confidants tomorrow to iron out details of his possible recruitment. Al-Hussaini is reportedly asking for an out clause to play in the PBA if he signs a contract with Smart-Gilas. Two other prospects are 6-10 Jumar Fajardo of the University of Cebu and UE hotshot Paul Lee.

“The SBP has sent a formal letter to the University of Cebu requesting for Jumar’s release to the national team but we haven’t received a reply,” Eala said. “As for Paul, he was one of only four or five UAAP players who showed up for Smart-Gilas’ first tryouts at Xavier School in November last year. He practiced with us twice or thrice then didn’t come back. We’ve talked with (UE coach) Lawrence (Chongson) about Paul. Coach Rajko is impressed with him.”

Eala said FEU cagers Aldrech Ramos and J. R. Cawaling are back with the team along with UAAP MVP Dylan Ababou of UST. FEU’s Mark Barroca has also rejoined Smart-Gilas. Toroman is now waiting for Letran’s Rey Guevara and R. J. Jazul and 6-11 Greg Slaughter to report for duty.

Two Fil-Aussies - 6-4 Sep Salinas and 6-foot Matt Schmechtig - were recently in Manila for a week to try out for Smart-Gilas. They were recommended by Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou and Josh Rivera. The pair played in the game against Singapore.

“Sep is a bulkier version of Chip Engelland while Matt is a tough defender,” said Eala. “They’ve returned to Perth and we’ll send them an evaluation next week. They’re welcome to practice with us but at the moment, we are not in a position to make commitments.”

Eala said the team is keeping a slot open for Marshall University Fil-Am guard Chris Lutz who is joining the team after playing out his US NCAA eligibility in March.

Eala said the PBA’s new rules are in line with adjustments in FIBA games. “FIBA is extending its three-point line but not as far as the PBA which is moving to the NBA distance,” said Eala. “FIBA is doing away with the trapezoidal lane and is adopting the no-flop rule, like the PBA. It looks like FIBA is following the NBA’s direction.”

As for Barroca’s enlistment, Eala said he was welcomed by his former FEU teammates with Smart-Gilas.

“Last Wednesday, coach Rajko, FEU athletic director Mark Molina and I had lunch with J. R. and Aldrech to talk about Mark’s return with us,” said Eala. “Of course, they felt let down particularly as if FEU had beaten Ateneo in that critical game, Aldrech could’ve been the UAAP MVP. But our team is solid. Chris Tiu, as captain, has done a great job of keeping the team together. Barroca is, in fact, the co-captain.”

Eala said some of the returning college players are relearning Toroman’s system. “Barroca, for instance, played off-guard in the UAAP while with coach Rajko, he’s strictly a point guard. He needs the ball - without the ball, he’s just not Barroca. Dylan played power forward with UST but he’s a small forward with us. J. R. and Alrech are also readjusting to their roles. We’re hoping the team jells in time for the PBA conference.”

Short-handed Powerade-RP to play 'underdog' vs Smart Gilas

Short-handed by the absence of nearly half of his mainstays in the Powerade-Pilipinas men’s basketball team, coach Yeng Guiao might be forced to tap some of the active players who suited up for his PBA All-Stars in their recent exhibition game against the NBA Generations.

Guiao will handle the Powerade-RP in yet another interesting exhibition game, the "Pinoy Basketbol, Kakampi Nyo," a fund-raising game for the benefit of the victims of tropical storm "Ondoy," and he might need reinforcements in Rain or Shine’s Jay-R Reyes, Ginebra’s Enrico Villanueva, Sta. Lucia’s Joseph Yeo and Burger King’s Wynne Arboleda.

The four players, who played for the PBA All-Stars against the NBA Generations of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dominique Wilkins, might be recalled by Guiao to beef up the Powerade-Pilipinas team when it squares off with the Rajko Toroman-mentored Smart Gilas team on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.

“Mga anim yata ng members namin sa Powerade-RP yung wala eh," Guiao said. “After noong stint namin sa Tianjin (China, site of the FIBA Asia men’s championship), halos hindi na kami nagkita-kita ulit."

Those who will most likely miss the Powerade-Pilipinas’ game against Smart Gilas are Jared Dillinger and Ranidel de Ocampo of Talk 'N Text and Mick Pennisi of San Miguel Beer.

Sta. Lucia’s Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, who were cut off from the Powerade-Pilipinas team due to injuries prior to the FIBA Asia stint, might not be ready to play yet while controversial top overall PBA rookie pick Japeth Aguilar will suit up instead for the Smart Gilas five.

The manpower problem as well as his squad’s lack of familiarity with one another will certainly make Guiao’s squad the unlikely “underdog" against the Smart Gilas squad, which has done nothing but train continuously to get themselves ready for international competitions.

“We played Smart Gilas before," said Guiao referring to Burger King’s game against the squad in an exhibition match several months ago.

“The team is composed of the country’s cream of the crop amateur players so definitely malakas rin talaga ito. Add to the fact that their import might suit up and Japeth would most likely play there. This should give us an added motivation (to play them hard) even though it’s a charity game."

As such, he felt his team yields the advantage in team chemistry.

“Definitely, they (Smart Gilas) have the advantage in terms of cohesion as they’ve been practicing together for so long, unlike us. But we certainly have the talent to match them up," he said.

Guiao said he will set a one-day practice either Saturday or Sunday to prepare his squad against Smart Gilas, now bolstered by the presence of 6’9 Aguilar and 6’11 former Los Angeles Lakers center CJ Giles.

Aguilar, who was picked the top overall choice of Guiao’s Burger King in the rookie draft, has expressed interest to play for Smart Gilas. Although he was a member of Powerade-Pilipinas squad in the FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin and William Jones Cup in Taipei, the young cager opted to stay with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas-backed Gilas squad.

The issue surrounding Aguilar has taken a backseat for a noble cause.

In a rare opportunity, the different stakeholders of basketball bonded together and decided to play a charity game to join aid efforts for victims of “Ondoy" which went down as the strongest in terms of accumulated rain showers since 1951 and claimed over 200 lives and caused billions of damages throughout the country.

Philippine Basketball League chairman and Harbour Centre’s top honcho Mikee Romero has pledged a seed money of P500,000 for the one-day event.

A selection of players from the country’s premier collegiate leagues – the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association – will go up against the top cagers from the PBL and Liga Pilipinas in the curtain raiser at 5 p.m. followed by the main game between the all-pro Powerade-Pilipinas team versus the amateur-laden Smart Gilas squad.

Winners in the double header will get P100,000 while the losing team will receive P50,000.

The main game’s winner will also receive the Tony Chua trophy, an award named in honor of the former PBA chairman who was among those who perished in the wake of the storm's devastation. - source gmanews.tv

Japeth insists he's playing for RP team

from philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Japeth Aguilar remained firm on his decision to play for Smart Gilas Pilipinas instead of signing up with Burger King, which made him the top pick in the recent PBA rookie draft.

He also stressed he’s ready to face the consequences of his action, including a lifetime ban from the PBA.

“I don’t know what’s the rule but if the PBA decides to ban me I can’t do anything about it,” said Aguilar in a press conference at the Kamayan-EDSA yesterday. “If I have to play in the national team forever, I would accept it.”

Saying he has made up his mind, the 22-year-old Aguilar said he wants to play for Smart Gilas where he believes he can hone his talent and skills and at the same time help the national team’s cause.

“It was really my intention to play for the national team ever since I flew back here after I graduated (from Western Kentucky),” he said.

However, Aguilar, who was accompanied by agent/manager Ronnie Nathanielsz and some relatives, said he has yet to talk with top officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas about his plans to play for the Rajko Toroman-mentored team.

“I would be the one to talk in his (Aguilar) behalf as a long-time friend of his father,” said Nathanielsz, a veteran sports analyst and newspaper columnist, referring to former Ginebra player Peter Aguilar.

As to the threat of the PBA ban on Aguilar, Nathanielsz said the league has no legal basis to impose it.

“The constitution and by-laws of the PBA very clearly state that the player who opts not to sign a contract with the team that drafted him would have to sit out the first year,” said Nathanielsz.

“After the first year it goes back to the same thing that if the two parties don’t come to terms, he’ll sit out the second year and only in the third year he becomes a free agent.

“There is no rule in the PBA that they can say they can ban you and even the bill of rights protects individual right to freedom of choice and this is his choice. And his choice is he wants to play for the country,” Nathanielsz said.

Aguilar said he would respect the PBA’s decision if it eventually decides to ban him.

Nathanielsz further explained that every player has the right whether or not to play for the team that drafted him.

“You draft a player and he decides not to play for you. A PBA team drafts a player and the team doesn’t sign him. What’s the difference,” said Nathanielsz.

“Just because he’s No. 1, they’ll do this. The law is the same for No. 1 and No. 10 pick, it’s the same for everybody unless you tell me there’s one rule for the rich and there’s another one for the poor,” he added.

Aguilar also apologized to former RP team coach Yeng Guiao and thanked him for the things he learned while suiting up for the PBA-backed RP squad.

“I’ll probably say sorry and I want to thank him for all the things he’s done to me,” he said.

Exec wants PBA’s active role in Asian tourneys

from gmanews.tv

Just when the Philippine Basketball Association is about to give way to Smart-Gilas in representing the country in major Asian tournaments, controversial rookie Japeth Aguilar suddenly made the league’s new chairman change his mind.

Burger King team manager Lito Alvarez, who succeeded Joaqui Trillo early this month as the PBA’s new chairman, is now soliciting the support of the board to revive the league’s active involvement in major Asian basketball tournaments.

According to Alvarez, the PBA is now revisiting the Constitution and By Laws of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which supposedly designate the PBA to handle the RP team in Asian tourneys. The PBA is a stakeholder of the SBP and has four seats in its board.

“We want to have a more active participation in the elite Asian tournaments, which means we want to send our team," Alvarez told GMANews.TV. “I asked our lawyer in the PBA to revisit the league’s involvement as far as participation in elite Asian tournaments. We are entitled to playing in major Asian tournaments and that’s what we’re keen on doing now."

Alvarez said that the controversy involving top rookie draftee Aguilar should not come as a precedent wherein “a player can simply make a mockery of a 35-year-old institution" such as the PBA. Aguilar turned his back on Burger King in the PBA to instead join the SBP’s Gilas Pilipinas, the national team tapped to play in the 2010 Asian Games and 2011 FIBA Asia.

“Parang ang lumalabas pa kasi, nagiging kumpitensiya pa yung SBP sa pagkuha ng player just like what happened now with Japeth," said Alvarez. “Nagpa-draft na sa PBA yet nag-decide biglang maglalaro sa Smart-Gilas team."

The Smart-Gilas is composed of amateur players who are under contract. It has also signed up a naturalized player in the person of CJ Guiles, who played briefly for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Aguilar is also expected to sign a pact with the Smart-Gilas squad after refusing a three-year, P8.7-million offer from Burger King in the PBA.

Alvarez said he has informed Manny V. Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas, two key officials of the SBP and fellow board members in the PBA, regarding the plan.

The Burger King executive is confident he will get the board’s majority backing.

So far, he has already secured has the support of JB Baylon of Coca-Cola and Sta. Lucia board governor Buddy Encarnado.

Baylon, team manager of Powerade-Pilipinas, has reiterated their company’s support to Yeng Guiao’s all-pro national team and expressed willingness to tap the international companies owned by Coca-Cola for the continuation of the program.

Encarnado, for his part, has even suggested that Guiao put his proposal for the program’s continuation in writing which he intends to submit to the board. - GMANews.Tv

Aguilar case may spark cage row

from philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Burger King top official Lito Alvarez expressed deep concern yesterday that the “Japeth Aguilar controversy,” if not managed well, may lead to a dispute between the SBP and the PBA.

Alvarez, also the PBA board chair, said there is now even a call in the PBA board to review the SBP by-laws to see if Smart Gilas has the mandate to prepare and play in elite tournaments like the 2010 Asian Games and the 2011 FIBA Asia championship.

“For all we know, Japeth has no Smart Gilas team looking to play for,” said Alvarez.

“I’m really bothered with what’s happening. This case is dragging. If this is not managed well, this may have a real big impact. This may lead to a fight between the SBP and the PBA which we all don’t want to happen,” Alvarez also said.

The BK top honcho is hoping SBP executive director Noli Eala to come out and help resolve the matter.

“Noli is a former PBA commissioner. He knows the PBA rules. He can manage this just by advising Japeth to come back to Burger King and honor his commitment,” said Alvarez.

In his Twitter account, Eala posted: “If Japeth had to leave PBA for an NBA contract say with the Lakers, do you think he’ll get the same flak? Why the big issue if it’s RP team?”

“This is an opportunity for Japeth to be the highest paid basketball player in the country. Burger King is giving him the maximum pay while also allowing him to play for Smart Gilas. As he plays for Smart Gilas, he may also get the same amount from them. He enjoys the best of both worlds,” Alvarez added.

Alvarez, however, is hoping Aguilar will reconsider his decision. He’s not yet filing a case with the PBA Commissioner’s Office as he plans to get in touch with Japeth’s father Peter.

“I will talk to the father. He may be enlightened,” said Alvarez.

But whatever happens, Alvarez said the PBA board is now set to review the SBP by-laws in a meeting Thursday or Friday.

“The PBA was already preparing for exit plan (from international play). But with this controversy, members of the board now want to revisit the SBP by-laws and see what our role is. I think there’s no resolution yet giving our role in representing the country in elite tourneys,” said Alvarez.

SBP remains undaunted by tough Olympic task

from philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the overwhelming odds, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) remains confident of its chances for the lone Olympic berth staked in the Asian zone.

Speaking at the PSA Forum, SBP executive director Noli Eala cited the cage body’s long-term program through the RP-Smart Gilas team under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman as one of the reasons why Team RP has a shot for the Olympic slot.

“One thing that gives me a lot of hope is the fact that we have a program. We have an honest-to-goodness program to back up our desire to win in 2011,” he said.

“The program consists of an international coach who knows what it takes to win in the international arena and has got the experience and credentials to show for it,” Eala said.

Toroman, the architect of Iran’s rise to power in Asian basketball prior to becoming coach of the Smart Gilas team, on the other hand, stressed that achieving the unthinkable should begin within the players and the team themselves.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we have to believe that we can do that. In the beginning it may be painful, we will lose some games, we will be sacrificing, we will be going on some difficult situations. But in the end, our goal is 2011 and we will do everything to put things together.”

The 54-year-old Serbian noted how Iran also went through the same phase when he first handled the team in 2007.

But playing together all year round and acquiring experiences in the international level toughened them up and made the team what it is right now – a two-time FIBA-Asia champion.

“We played many international games. Do you think that it was nice to lose 25 out of 35 games? It was very tough for me, for the players. But we just believed we were sacrificing together. We just believed that these games will give us something new and something better in the future,” he said.

Bannered by 7-foot-3 Hamed Hedadi of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Iranians earned a berth in the Beijing Olympics last year under Toroman then. They also beat China, 70-52, in the finals of the recent 25th FIBA-Asia Championship in front of a partisan crowd.

“I think the biggest thing that gave me hope was when Iran beat China in their home court. If you look at Iran, it’s no bigger than us, except maybe for Hamed, who’s really the focal point. But everyone else I guess, is comparable to us.

But Eala reiterated it won’t be easy.

“It’s going to be very tough. Let’s be realistic and let’s manage everybody’s expectations. It’s not a shoo-in. It’s not a matter of showing up in 2011 and winning that slot,” said Eala of the 2011 FIBA-Asia tournament that serves as the qualifier for the London Games.

'Gilas Pilipinas' should continue RP basketball program

source GMAnews.tv

Rajko Toroman’s young Smart-Gilas developmental team has found another ally from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Newly-installed PBA chairman Lito Alvarez urged every basketball-loving Filipino to rally behind the young Smart-Gilas basketball squad in its quest for a first-ever Olympic berth in nearly four decades.

“Dati hinahanapan natin ng programa yung BAP (Basketball Association of the Philippines) and now that there’s already a program, it’s about time we support them (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas)," Alvarez told GMANews.TV.

“I think the long-term program built for the Smart-Gilas team coached by Toroman will be a team that will represent the country for the next three or five years and I believe they’re on the right track."

Alvarez’s statement contradicts Yeng Guiao’s opinion that the Powerade-Team Pilipinas be given another chance of representing the country in the FIBA Asia tournament where the team recently finished eighth.

Guiao, also the coach of PBA ballclub Burger King managed by Alvarez, has requested the PBA for another tour of duty in the FIBA Asia meet, a proposal turned down by the SBP right away.

“That’s his point of view as a coach and we respect that," said Alvarez. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the entire sentiment of the board. We’ve discussed it before and we’ve talked about coming up with a long term plan for the national team. I think there’s a program in place so it’s about time to use this program."

For two years, the PBA has represented the country in the FIBA Asia meet, which served as qualifying tournaments both for the Olympics and the World Basketball Championship. In fact, when the open basketball policy was implemented in the late 80s, the Philippines started sending professional players in the Asian Games and in 1990 the country won the silver medal courtesy of the Robert Jaworski-coached Nationals.

But not even the best talents from the land can carry the Philippines back to the biggest cage events in the world, a reality check that the country needs a better program in the sport that has become close to hearts of the Filipinos.

“It’s a reality that what the country needs is a team that will play together for a long period of time. Talent wasn’t enough and it was proven the past years," said Alvarez. “We in the PBA agreed two years ago to form up a team because there was no program yet in the SBP, but now, it’s a about time we give way to them."

“The PBA being a stakeholder in the SBP can always provide assistance. If there’s a need for players to be loaned then we will do that. All the SBP should do is made a request," he added. – GMANews.TV

SBP wants full control of cage program

source PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, thankful to the Philippine Basketball Association and at the same time disappointed over the country’s eighth-place finish in the 25th FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin, China, yesterday said it wants full control of the national team geared toward the 2012 London Olympics.

Speaking on behalf of SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan, executive director Noli Eala yesterday said the Smart and PLDT chairman would like to thank the PBA players for representing the country in Tianjin, and that he was fully aware “of all the sacrifices they had to make and how difficult it must have been.”

The PBA team coached by Yeng Guiao only had a couple of months to prepare for the event but carried the heavy expectations of beating the finest Asian squads and making it to the 2010 World Championship in Turkey. Still, it managed an eighth place finish, better than the ninth place finish it had in 2007.

Eala said while the SBP understands the predicament of having to do so much with very little time, the best option now is for the country’s national basketball federation to stick to its long-term program of developing its young Smart Gilas team which, given proper time and materials, can achieve the goal.

“They (PBA) deserve our gratitude and they have to be thanked for. However, we have to say we are disappointed with the finish. We were hoping we could have finished higher and make it to the World Championship. But that’s something we must continue to work on. And that’s precisely why we have a long term program,” said Eala.

The Philippines blew hot and cold in Tianjin, winning four of nine games. But three of those defeats, to Jordan, Qatar and Korea, came after the team was assured of a slot in the Top 8. A victory over the Jordanians could have sent the Philippines to the semis, and back in the map of Asian basketball.

While the Smart Gilas team is in place, Guiao believes that the best players in the country are still in the PBA, and that the SBP would eventually end up knocking on the doors of Asia’s first professional league, which shouldn’t hesitate in helping.

“We appreciate the suggestion being pursued by coach Guiao but we believe this (Smart Gilas) is the more comprehensive, more focused and obviously more responsive program than that team in Tianjin. We believe this is the right direction to take,” added Eala. He said the PBA was not created as a federation but a commercial venture.

“The mandate and business model of PBA at this time is not consistent with demands and needs for maintaining a national team program. And we cannot blame the PBA for this. It’s not as simple as saying ‘we have the best players.’ They must consider a paradigm shift in officiating, coaching style and philosophy, their calendar and schedules.”

Guiao and his players are scheduled to fly home today.

Eala said there are many things that are “anti-thesis” to the PBA’s involvement to the national team as well as its performance as a commercial league, and said “the SBP appreciates their willingness to help.”

The SBP executive director said they will welcome any help from the PBA, especially if and when the time comes they might need the services of a couple of players, three at the maximum, to beef up the Smart Gilas team which is also looking at Fil-Am Chris Lutz and CJ Giles who may be up for naturalization.

“At this point the SBP would want to take over the national team. If the PBA is open to being involved then it would have to be under the program and direction of SBP, including the selection of national coaches and implementation of program,” said Eala of the SBP program being run by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

“We want to make clear we want the SBP to handle the running of the national team henceforth. It’s also strange that the PBA wants to continue the long term program when they could have done that with the 2007 program rather than come up with a brand new team again and brand new coaching staff,” Eala added.

He stressed that there will always be difficulty with the continuity program if the PBA handles the national team.

“This is the team (Smart Gilas) we want to train for the next two years. By the 2010 Asian Games we will have a very good idea where we are. We feel we have enough players. Yeng’s statement that we will not be at peak in three years is unfair and uncalled for. He doesn’t even know our program. This is not the time to criticize any program,” Eala added.