After tearing down the opposition in Australia, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is bringing its act to Serbia in what coach Rajko Toroman said would test the level of improvement of the national five.
The RP cagers, who won five of their six games against respectable ballclubs Down Under last week, left for Belgrade Sunday night and were slated to play six games in 10 days.
Based on Smart Gilas’ form against the Aussies, Toroman said he expects better results this time from a team that lost five of its seven outings against Serbian ballclubs last year.
“Our trip to Serbia will provide us a chance to find out whether the team has really improved,” said the Serbian mentor, who guided Iran to its first Olympic appearance in Beijing 2008 after 60 years.
Led by skipper Chris Tiu and Mark Barroca, Smart Gilas defeated the Australian Under-19 squad (78-67), the Australian second national team (79-73) before the same ballclub forced the Nationals to a 73-73 standoff.
Gilas went on to beat the Canberra Gunners (79-73), New South Wales Institute of Sports (82-63), and the Sydney Comets (93-81) to cap its 10-day Australian trip on a bright note.
Japeth Aguilar had a big outing against the Comets, firing 29 points, grabbing 10 boards on top of four steals and two shot blocks.
Greg Slaughter, the 7-foot slotman from the University of Visayas, posted consistent figures in terms of points, rebounds and shot blocks.
“These international games prepare the team for the more important games ahead,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim. “We just have to keep working.”
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