Mercado playing; Ababou, Ramos out of PH five

GUANGZHOU—A hurting Solomon Mercado still made it to the 12-man Smart Gilas Pilipinas lineup that coach Rajko Toroman will be fielding for the Asian Games basketball competition starting here tomorrow.


Mercado, the Rain or Shine guard, got the clearance to play despite suffering a contusion on his left ankle and joined fellow PBA stars Asi Taulava of Meralco and Talk N Text’s Kelly Williams in the final roster.


Smart Gilas team captain Chris Tiu, JV Casio, Mark Barroca, Greg Slaughter Mac Baracael, Japeth Aguilar, Jason Ballesteros and overseas-based players Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz completed the list during the deliberation of the coaching staff Wednesday night.


Wingman Dylan Ababou and slotman Aldrech Ramos failed to make the cut although both players will be watching at the sidelines during the games along with naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit.


“The final lineup is versatile, athletic and quick. Exactly what we need for the Asiad,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala.


The PH five, formed mainly to bring the country back to the Olympics in London 2012, faces Kuwait in the preliminary round tomorrow.

Smart Gilas can go all the way, says Reyes

GUANGZHOU — Losing is not an option when the Smart Gilas national team takes on Kuwait in a knockout match Saturday at the start of the basketball competition in the 16th Asian Games.

Formed in early 2009, the Nationals risk coming home in a hail of tomatoes if they lose to the Kuwaitis whose participation had been subject of speculations at home.

Early reports said Kuwait had withdrawn, but the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) was later assured by organizers that the game will push through.

Despite the assurance, SBP executive-director Noli Eala said Kuwait was absent during the team manager’s meeting.

Unless the players forget to bring their jerseys, Smart Gilas should have no problem disposing of Kuwait which is competing under the banner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Based on the information submitted, the Kuwaitis have an average height of 5-11, small even by PBA standards.

The Filipinos played two tune-up matches since their arrival. They lost their first match against the Guangdong Tigers, 87-75, Wednesday and won against the Dongguan Leopards, 79-65, Thursday.

“I believe this team will go all the way and win a medal,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes who is here to assist Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman.

Reyes said it is unfair to compare the team that he handled during the 2007 FIBA-Asia and the current squad.

“They’re entirely different. Mine was a running team while Rajko’s more disciplined, structured,” said Reyes. “One thing going for Gilas is that it is better prepared.”

Reyes also noted that competition was tougher in FIBA-Asia because it serves as qualifying event for the Olympics.

“Many top players are missing because some teams don’t take the Asiad too seriously,” he said.

After beating the Leopards, the Nationals proceeded to the Athletes Village, their home for the next two weeks – or less.

On Friday, the Nationals held practice at a gym not provided by Games organizers.

The team’s official practice was set Saturday morning, but the coaching staff opted to lease the place for last-minute workout.

After Kuwait, the Nationals will have to contend with Asian champion Iran, Qatar, Chinese-Taipei, Japan and the winner between Afghanistan and India in a round robin series.

Black & White, learning a craft & Smart Gilas

As far back as I could remember, I loved illustration. And I drew a lot as a kid. I drew marvel Superheroes and military stuff. When my late grandfather would let me read his Time and Life magazines, I was drawn towards photography. Of course, I couldn't afford to get a camera at that age. I've also previously mentioned that I wanted to join the Camera Club in Ateneo except that I didn't own a camera. So I joined Hobbycraft (making model airplanes and stuff) and played football. But I've always loved photography and the earliest photog/journalist I liked was the late Robert Capa (real name Endre Erno Friedmann, a Hungarian photo journalist). Many called him reckless for his shots such as the above shot from Omaha Beach during D-Day when he waded ashore with American troops during the invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe. He survived that and more but died in Vietnam when he stepped on a landmine.

I thought that there was raw power in his photos and this one of a soldier killed during the Spanish Civil War that sort of ushered in World War II. Capa's style resonated further with me when Nikon put out this ad, a controversial one I must say by new York ad agency Scali McCabe Sloves (copy by Richard Kelly with art by Ron Rosen). The ad used no pictures and the copy read:

A three year-old boy saluting at his father's funeral.

A woman crying over the body of a student shot by the National Guard.

An American President lifting his pet beagle up by its ears.

A lone student standing in front of four tanks.

If you can picture it in your head, it was probably taken with a Nikon.

The ad is bold as it assumed that its American audience was smart and literate enough to recognize and picture these photos in their minds. The first is JFK Jr. during his father's funeral. The second is the Kent State incident. The third is US President Lydon B. Johnson (the original LBJ), and the last is Tiannamen Square. It's a trivia ad that is at once powerful for the emotions it conjures. In case you don't know, I spent several years in advertising (in Creatives writing copy and doing occasional art direction).

And that leads me to this. I've always wanted to shoot like my fellow sports shooters at Fabilioh except that I do not have their gear or experience. It's seems fashionable to like photogs like Anton Corbijn (who became famous for his photos of Irish supergroup U2) and Annie Liebovitz. Last year, I decided I went back to doing what I wanted and in the style I wanted. Andrew MacPherson is a celebrity photog but he took the photos to Oasis' Standing on the Shoulder of Giants album. And he also took the shot of Heathen Chemistry (pictured above). That was huge and since I decided to go that way and shoot them differently. Of course, I am nowhere near good like these guys but hopefully, I'll get there. And here are some shots from last night's scrimmage between Smart Gilas Pilipinas and Talk 'N Text.

Mark Barroca remains fearless as ever. He can still beat his man off the dribble, ditch him with a crossover and finish. It's up to the opposing team's center to adjust and try and stop him.

Jimmy Alapag, is this guy fast or is he fast? He is like Barroca, Jay Jay Helterbrand, and LA Tenorio -- absolutely fearless.

Post-game. Smart Gilas got whupped 88-70 by Talk N Text. Rey Guevarra is just just getting back in the thick of things, Dylan Ababou has found his speed and shooting touch, Japeth Aguilar can still jump out of a gym but has yet to be a dominant rebounding force, and Chris Tiu, maybe the team's best all-around player, suffered a bad shooting game. Ditto for Milan Vucicevic who is having a hard time with the heat. He just planed in from the cold weather of Serbia and ran smack in a very humid atmosphere. As for the team -- I'm worried about burnout. Too much basketball for these guys in such a difficult schedule. I hope the team's braintrust knows what they are doing. Anyways, I have more Smart Gilas photos in my Facebook account.

Posted by Rick Olivares

Kelly ready to play for RP-Gilas

Kelly ready to play for RP-Gilas

By WAYLON GALVEZ

May 8, 2010, 7:13pm

Sta. Lucia Realty forward Kelly Williams said that playing for flag and country gives him great pleasure, but quickly added his focus is to help the Realtors in the PBA Fiesta Cup.

“If I was to play for the national team... that would be great. I love international play and I love to represent
the country. If it happens it happens. I’m ready for whatever,” said the 6-8 high-leaping versatile forward.

“But I still got this jersey on, I’m fighting for Sta. Lucia,” Williams added when asked for his reaction on the ongoing trade talks between his team and Talk ’N Text, which would pave the way for his entry to the Smart-Gilas national team.

SLR governor Manuel “Buddy” Encarnado confirmed the trade talks with TNT last week.

The 6-foot-8 Williams, 28, is in his fourth season in the pro league after he was tabbed with the No. 1 overall pick by the Realtors in the 2006 PBA Rookie Draft. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2006-07 and won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award the following season.

He was sidelined near the end of last season’s Fiesta Cup due to a rare blood disorder called ITP or Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

He has come back strong this season, and prominently figured in Best Player of the Conference in the Philippine Cup.

Kelly Williams may end up with Smart Gilas

Sta. Lucia Realty is willing to let go of prized forward Kelly Williams for the sake of national interest, according to team governor Buddy Encarnado as he confirmed talks are under way with Talk ‘N Text.

Williams’ services have been sought by the Smart-Gilas national team that is training for the Asian Games in November in China.

“While nobody turns his back for flag and country, we’re also thinking what about the interest of my team. We are amenable of loaning him, but if we lose Kelly, how can we be compensated if he leaves the team,” Encarnado said.

League sources said that Williams and versatile point guard Ryan Reyes will be traded for veterans Ali Peek and Nic Belasco. Talk ’N Text sophomore wingman Jared Dillinger is also being considered as another option in the trade.

Encarnado, however, won’t deny or confirm the report, the same position taken by TNT governor Ricky Vargas when queried about the issue.

“No I don’t want to comment on that. That’s his (Encarnado) prerogative what he wants to say,” Vargas said.

Encarnado clarified the only reason why they are amenable to giving up their 2006 top overall draft pick is for the 6-foot-8 Williams to help the Nationals mentored by Serbian Rajko Toroman.

Talk ‘N Text and Smart-Gilas are both owned by telecommunications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan, who is also the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Early in the season, Talk ’N Text traded several players to Air21 to obtain 6-10 forward Japeth Aguilar, the top rookie pick last year. He was immediately loaned by the Tropang Texters to the national team.

Smart-Gilas is currently training in the United States in preparation for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar on May 22 to 30. The Nationals will also see action in the Asian Games this November in Guangzhou, China.

These tournaments are just part of the Nationals’ build-up for the FIBA-Asia Championship next year, which is the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.

Without elaborating, Encarnado said that there are other ball clubs interested in having Williams and Reyes, as well as Nelbert Omolon and even 14-year veteran Marlou Aquino.

But TNT’s offer is the one that interests them most, according to Encarnado. “It’s simply because of the national team,” Encarnado said.

Smart RP eyes 3 more Filipino-foreign prospects

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will check on three Filipino-foreign prospects that could help the team in its campaign in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games this year and the FIBA-Asia Championship or 2012 Olympic qualifier next year.

RP’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said they’re eyeing Fil-German 6’8” Christian Standhardinger, Fil-Italian 6’5” Nico Monachini and Fil-Am 6’1” Chris Banchero for possible inclusion in the team in search of a berth in the 2012 London Games.

Toroman and the Nationals are now in Las Vegas where they would play three more American Basketball Association teams as part of their US training trip.

Smart Gilas toppled the San Diego Surf, 94-93, but dropped a pair of heartbreaking decisions to the Los Angles Slam, 107-111, and the Riverside Rainmakers, 96-99, before proceeding to Las Vegas where they would play three more matches at the Impact Gym.

“I want to see these players. I will try to get their commitment to play for the team if I’m impressed,” said Toroman, who added they still need another power forward in the squad.

Of three, Standhardinger appears the most impressive having suited up for US NCAA Division I school University of Nebraska where he averaged 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a freshman.

The 20-year-old Standhardinger, who has a Filipina mother, may have some eligibility problems since he has already played for Germany’s Under-19 squad two years ago after exploding for 37 points and plucking 12 rebounds in the German Youth Championships.

Monchini, for his part, played for two Canadian schools-University of British Columbia and Trinity Western U-while Banchero saw action for Division II Seattle Pacific Falcons, whom he led to a 22-6 record.

Banchero, in particular, averaged 19.6 points on an impressive 52-percent shooting clip, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals for the Falcons where he churned out 30-point effort twice and 20-point performance 16 times.

Former Marshall U star Chris Lutz will join the team after Las Vegas and should further boost Toroman’s backcourt rotation composed of skipper Chris Tiu, co-captain Mark Barroca, JV Casio, JR Cawaling, RJ Jazul, Rey Guevarra and another Fil-Am Marcio Lassiter.

Smart Gilas to play all-Filipino in FIBA-Asia

Source: Philippine Star
Without a talented foreign reinforcement in sight, Smart Gilas Pilipinas faces the specter of playing without a naturalized player in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup next month and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this November.

RP’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said he is preparing the Nationals for the possibility of playing All-Filipino in both the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar and the Asiad without saying they’re giving up on their import hunt.

“We’ll play All-Filipino in Guangzhou if we don’t find an import in time,” said Toroman, who steered the Iranians to the 2007 FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan and the 2008 Beijing Olympics before accepting the RP coaching job.

Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim, however, stressed he’s not giving up and is currently persuading some prospects in the Euro League to fill up the team’s need for an imposing big man.

“We’re not giving up, we’re doing all we can to find one,” said Lim.

If they couldn’t find an import before the Champions Cup slated May. 22-30, Toroman said they might tap a Serbian instead – 6’10” Milan Vucicevic.

Smart Gilas vows decent finish in tough FIBA-Asia bracket

Source: Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas has vowed to better its previous fifth place finish despite drawing a tough group in the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup slated May 22-30 in Doha, Qatar.

“We have to make to the quarterfinals and then everything would depend on what team we play in the semifinals,” said coach Rajko Toroman during the team’s practice at The Arena in San Juan last Tuesday. “But we have to move forward from fifth place in Jakarta.”

The Philippines looks headed for a tough outing after being drawn in the company of defending champion Iran, host Qatar, dangerous Kazakhstan and returnee Iraq in Group A.

But the Filipino cagers remain confident of their chances.

“I think we have a better chance this year because we know what kind of competition we’re facing unlike in the past when we really don’t have an idea,” said team skipper Chris Tiu.

“We’ve been preparing for this. This tournament will help us gauge the performance of the team going into the Asian Games,’’ said Lim.

Toroman, however, stressed Group A would be tougher than Group B, which is composed of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

“It’s (Group A) a tough group but we know we can compete against the top teams,” said Toroman. “This Champions Cup in general will be much stronger compared to Jakarta.”

Meanwhile, SBP executive director Noli Eala said that Ray Parks, son of former PBA Best import Bobby, will spearhead the RP three-on-three team that will see action in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore
.

“Ray Parks was invited to join the RP team participating in the Youth Olympic Games alongside Michael Tolomia and Jerone Teng,” said Eala.

Lim said they hope to find an American import to reinforce the Smart Gilas squad in time for the Champions Cup where the Filipino hopes to improve their fifth place finish in Jakarta last year.

Lim said the team is now eyeing seven-foot Michael Fey of UCLA as its candidate for naturalization.

As a junior in 2004-05, the 26-year-old Fey piled up norms of 8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 23 minutes in 29 games, including seven starts. He shot a sterling .546 percent from the field that same season and a decent .697 from the line. He once scored a career-high 23 points.

He, however, sustained various injuries – groin strain, a sprained left shoulder and a severe right ankle sprain – in his senior year and sat out a total of 21 games.

He came back and played in 18 contests but he was far from his old self and averaged merely 1.7 points.

The Bruins lost to Joakim Noah and the Florida Gators the same season. Interestingly, Fey had two varsity teammates who ended up in the NBA – the Milwaukee Bucks’ Luc Mbah a Moute and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Jordan Farmar.

Toroman also said he was relieved guard JV Casio, the Best Guard in last January’s Dubai Invitational where RP finished third, sustained an MCL injury and not an ACL injury that would take about four to six weeks to heal.

“He’s (Casio) an important player for us. We’re happy his injury is not bad,” he said.

Smart Gilas is scheduled to leave on April 24 for Las Vegas before proceeding to Vancouver in May and from there to Qatar.

Smart Gilas drawn with top Iranian, Qatari cage teams

source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph

SMART Gilas is bracing for a tougher competition in the coming International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar, from May 22 to 30.

The Philippine squad is bracketed in Group A with defending champion Mahram of Iran and Qatar’s No. 1 club Al-Rayyan. Also in their group are Iraq’s Dohuk and the Astana Tigers of Kazakhstan.

The Astana Tigers have an average height of six feet and seven inches and are probably the youngest team in the 10-club field with an average age of 21.64.

“It’s a strong group, but we know we can compete against the top teams,” said Serbian coach Rajko Toroman after the team’s practice on Wednesday night at the Arena in San Juan. “Believe me, this Champions Cup will be much stronger than last year.”

In the last edition of the Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, a CJ Giles-reinforced Smart Gilas squad finished fifth.

“We have to reach the quarters first and then it depends who we play in the next round. But we have to move forward from fifth place in Jakarta,” said Toroman.

The team leaves for Las Vegas on Saturday for a nine-day training camp.

Lebanon’s Al-Riyyadi, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia, Syria’s Al-Jalaa, Applied Science University of Jordan and Al-Nasr of the United Arab Emirates comprise Group B.

Smart Gilas has played against some of the teams in the Champions Cup in the Dubai Invitational basketball tournament where the team shocked the field with a third-place finish despite playing All-Filipino for most of the tournament.

The team’s import then, six-foot-11 Jamal Sampson, played sparingly.

“I think we have a better chance now than before, because we know what kind of competition we are up to,” said team captain Chris Tiu. “Unlike in the past when we really don’t have an idea.”

Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim said the Champions Cup will be a good measure on how the team has progressed.

“We’ve been preparing for this. This tournament will help us gauge the performance of the team going into the Asian Games,” said Lim, referring to the team’s return in the quadrennial meet in the basketball team. The country was not able to send a basketball squad in the 2006 Asian Games due to a Fiba suspension.

JV Casio, who had an MCL sprain, is expected to return after a month

“He’s (Casio) one of our important players,” said Toroman. “Fortunately, his injury is not so bad. He’ll be out of the team for one month.”

Casio sustained the injury in the team’s final game against Mega Vizura in their tour in Belgrade early this month.

Other Smart Gilas candidates returning to the team after recovering from injuries are Rabeh Al-Hussaini (bone spurs) and Rey Guevarra (MCL and ACL).

'Group of Death’ unfazes Toroman

Source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph

The Philippine Smart Gilas basketball team fell into the “Group of Death,” but national coach Rajko Toroman of Serbia is undaunted and feels the nationals can make it to the Final Four of the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup.

The Philippines is bracketed with defending champion Iran, perennial Middle East power Kazakhstan, an unknown Iraq squad and host Qatar in Group A, anyone of whom, except Iraq can win the championship.

“It’s a strong group, but we know we can compete against the top teams,” Toroman said Tuesday night after the national team’s practice at The Arena in San Juan.

Toroman, who built his reputation as the architect of Iran’s rise as an Asian cage power, sees his former team as the team to beat in the tournament.

Iran has remained a formidable force years after Toroman steered the country to the FIBA-Asia championship title which earned the team a spot in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

For one, the team will parade a roster led by Samad Bahrami and possibly by 7-footer Hamed Haddadi, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.

Toroman also sees Kazakhstan as tough team considering its consistent top finishes in the Asian Games, while Qatar, he said, enjoys a home court advantage and Iraq can pull some surprises.

The FIBA-Asia Champions Cup is set May 22 to 30.

“Just like what coach Toroman said, this Champions Cup will be much stronger than last year,” said the RP team manager Frankie Lim, who is set to leave for the United States this Saturday with the rest of the team.

Smart-Gilas will train for nine days in Las Vegas, and Lim said he and Toroman hope to use the opportunity to look for the right reinforcement, who will be a candidate for naturalization.

After the US trip, the team will then proceed to Canada for a four-day training.

Gilas is looking to improve on its fifth place finish in the import-flavored tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia last year.

“We have to go to the quarters, and then it depends who we play in the next round. But we have to move forward from fifth place in Jakarta,” Toroman said, whose team will have to finish in the top four in its group to advance to the quarterfinals. Bracketed in Group B are Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.

Back to square one in Smart Gilas hunt

Source: Philippine Star

Smart Gilas’ search for a naturalized import continues as team manager Frankie Lim said yesterday the latest candidate Jared Homan of Iowa State has declined a contract offer with 7-foot Michael Fey of UCLA the new target in the effort to find a dominant center for the national basketball squad.

Since the departure of C. J. Giles and Jamal Sampson, Gilas coach Rajko Toroman hasn’t found a replacement to play the center position as a naturalized import. He recently took the team to play in Australia and Serbia without an import. Gilas is scheduled to play another series of games in Las Vegas and Vancouver late this month in preparation for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha on May 22-30.

Lim said Homan was close to signing until an offer came from Bulgaria for a similar role. Lim was previously in talks with Dwayne Jones, Brian Butch and Earl Barron all of whom backed out of the negotiations to play in the NBA.

“Homan asked if he could play in the PBA as a local and I told him it wasn’t possible because of the PBA rules,” he said. “I spoke with his agent Andrew Vie who was very frank in our negotiations. We were close to bringing Homan over until Bulgaria came in. Bulgaria offered Homan a slot in their national team as a naturalized import with the added incentive of being able to play in the Euroleague as a local, meaning he could earn more without being listed as a foreigner.”

Lim said he explained to Vie that playing in the PBA as a local wouldn’t pay as much as playing as an import because of the salary cap. Besides, the PBA will not allow a naturalized citizen to play as a local. In Bulgaria, a naturalized import is able to earn as much or even more as a foreigner because of his eligibility to play in the Euroleague.

Lim said his list of candidates is down to about four but the problem is he hasn’t scouted any of the remaining options. Fey, 26, is at the top of the list and Lim said he will try to fly him in for a tryout with Toroman. Fey played four years at UCLA and as a junior in 2004-05, averaged 8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 23 minutes in 29 games, including 27 starts. That season, he shot .546 from the field and .697 from the line. His collegiate career high was 23 points.

As a UCLA senior in 2005-06, Fey missed 21 games because of injuries, including a groin strain, a sprained left shoulder and a severe right ankle sprain. He managed to play in 18 contests, starting two and averaged only 1.7 points. UCLA lost to Florida in the NCAA finals that year. Two of Fey’s varsity teammates are now in the NBA – the Los Angeles Lakers’ Jordan Farmar and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Luc Mbah a Moute.

Lim said it will be difficult for Gilas to be competitive at the Asian level with Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Aldrech Ramos, Rabeh Al Hussaini or Jason Ballesteros playing the slot.

“Greg has improved dramatically but he’s not at the level where he can compete against the big centers of Asia,” said Lim, referring to the likes of Lebanon’s Jackson Vroman, China’s Yao Ming and Iran’s Hamed Haddadi. “Our goal is to qualify for the semifinals in the Asian Games this November but we’ll need a center to help us.”

Lim ruled out recruiting Toroman’s 6-8 son-in-law Mladen Sakulavac, the Dallas Mavericks’ second round pick in the 2002 NBA draft. Sakulavac, 29, has played for the Yugoslavian national junior team and is a fixture in the Serbian league.

Last year, Sakulavac visited Manila and impressed Toroman’s local coaching staff with his deadly accuracy from the floor. SBP executive director Noli Eala described him as a Peja Stojakovic play-alike. But Sakulavac’s history of having played for Yugoslavia will not allow him to play for another national team under FIBA rules.

Toroman confirmed yesterday that because Sakulavac had played for Yugoslavia, he will not be eligible to play for another country in FIBA competitions.

SBP gets CAS nod, focuses on Asiad

Source: Philippine Star
Affirmed by the Swiss-based Commissioner for Sports Arbitration as the legitimate national cage body in the Philippines, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is now focusing on its goal to regain the country’s old status as kingpin in Asia.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan said their initial target is at least a semifinal finish in the Guangzhou Asian Games in November then to make the grade in the Asian Olympic qualifying tourney in Turkey next year.

With a united Philippine basketball, Pangilinan said he may even make a bid at becoming the president of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) now headed by Indonesia business mogul Eric Thoehir.

“There’s a SEABA congress in Bali (Indonesia) next week. We see how it goes. We are pre-eminent in Southeast Asian basketball, so why not take a prominent role. Hopefully, pagbigyan tayo,” said Pangilinan during the Scoop sa Kamayan session yesterday.

Pangilinan said they’re now focusing on their goals after SBP gained affirmation as CAS last week (La Commission Beige d’ Arbitrage pour le Sport) trashed a case raised by the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

The International Basketball Federation had earlier given its nod on the SBP.

Pangilinan said their main focus is on the Smart Gilas team.

“We’re looking at a semifinal finish or higher in Guangzhou, then we’ll take it from there,” said Pangilinan.

The team will resume its Asian buildup next week as it leaves for Las Vegas on April 23 for a nine-day training camp before flying to Canada
for a series of exhibition games.

While there, Toroman will take a look at Chris Lutz and three other Fil-Am hopefuls while team manager Frankie Lim pursues a deal with their naturalization prospects.

“Hopefully, everything will be put to bed soon,” said Pangilinan.

Meanwhile, the injury-hit Smart Gilas team, meanwhile, has been recovering steadily with Rabeh Al-Hussaini, a two-time UAAP MVP who led Ateneo to back-to-back titles, has re-joined the team in practice after undergoing an operation to remove bone spurs in his left foot.

Rey Guevarra, on the other hand, is close to full recovery from MCL and ACL injuries he sustained while playing for Letran in the NCAA last season.

Point guard JV Casio, however, will be out for four weeks due to a swollen right leg. – With Koji Lorenzo Echeminada and Kristina Noelle Villanueva

mart Gilas still hot on clinching Kelly Williams

The power forward slot remains to be the weakest spot for Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas going into the Guangzhou Asian Games and the 2011 Fiba-Asia Championship.

To address the nagging problem, Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman has only one name in mind to fill it up: Kelly Williams.

“I guess you know the name I’ve been mentioning right from the start,” Toroman yesterday said.

“I didn’t change my opinion. We are weak inside and we have to improve. I’m still thinking about one player from the PBA who is good on position four, and it’s Kelly Williams.”

After a pair of successful trips in Australia and Serbia, Smart Gilas’ big men have shown tremendous improvement, especially on defense where 6-foot-11 Greg Slaughter and 6-foot-8 Jason Ballesteros thrive.

But the power forward slot remains to be its weakest spot with Mac Baracael proving to be too small, Japeth Aguilar quite inexperienced and Rabeh Al-Hussaini still injured.

The Serbian mentor said they could have opted to play those guys at the fourth spot, but none of them is as athletically-gifted and as matured as Williams, the 27-year-old, 6-foot-7 former PBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player for Sta. Lucia Realtors.

“We don’t have a solution. I feel we’re a little bit small on position four. Japeth is not yet experienced while Mac is too small. That’s the reason why I’m thinking about it.”

With the PBA still ongoing, Toroman and the Nationals have to wait before discussion on Williams’ possible transfer could be started. In its previous statement, the Realtors said they are open to the idea of lending Williams if it is “for the national cause.”

“But I don’t want to talk about it right now. The PBA is still ongoing. I don’t want to disrupt anything or anybody,” he said. “Maybe we’ll start talking before the Asian Games this November. Maybe he’s already okay by that time.”

Aside from Williams, Gilas is also expecting the inclusion of Filipino-American Chris Lutz and, possibly, Iowa State standout Jared Homan as its naturalization prospect.

Injury-riddled Smart Gilas takes another huge hit

Source: Businessmirror
Another key player will miss Smart Gilas’s participation in the International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar, next month.

Former La Salle star point guard JV Casio will be out for four weeks because of a swollen right leg. He watched the team practice from the sidelines at the Meralco Gym in Pasig with a brace on his right leg.

The team’s doctor advised the six-foot guard to rest for at least four weeks, as the injury could lead to a serious one—a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury or an arterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. If it’s MCL, this means that Casio will have to take a break for four to six weeks but if it’s ACL, then the versatile guard could end up resting for at least three months.

Casio’s injury dents Smart Gilas’s chances in the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in Doha from May 12 to 20.

Injuries also sidelined Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra in the team’s stint in the Dubai Invitational basketball tournament, and recently, the six-game series in Belgrade.

Both players are now recuperating from their respective injuries but still under evaluation if they could join the team in Doha.

Al-Hussaini, a two-time Most Valuable Player in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines who led Ateneo to back-to-back titles, has joined the team in practice after undergoing an operation to remove bone spurs in his left foot.

Guevarra is close to full recovery from MCL and ACL injuries he suffered while playing for Letran in the National Collegiate Athletic Association last season.

The team is set to leave for Las Vegas on April 23 for a nine-day training camp before going to Vancouver, Canada, for exhibition games against Canada West All-Star and University of British Columbia Thunderbirds early next month.

New recruits for Smart Gilas?

Source: Philippine Star
Searching for the elusive Mr. Right to shore up the middle as a naturalized import, Smart Gilas national basketball team coach Rajko Toroman said yesterday aside from picking Jared Homan of Iowa State, he is studying the option of adding a few more Fil-foreigners for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha on May 22-30.

Homan, 27, is playing for Maroussi in the Greek league at the moment. A contract offer was sent three days ago and his reply is being awaited.

As a senior at Iowa State in 2004-05, the 6-10 Homan averaged 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in 31 games. He finished his varsity career as Iowa State’s all-time blocks leader. In his final Iowa State game on the second round of the NCAA tournament, Homan compiled 19 points and 20 rebounds in a loss to eventual champion North Carolina.

“Jared is a warrior,” said Iowa State coach Wayne Morgan. “He fights every second he’s on the court and I think he has a big future playing this game.”

Toroman said other possible recruits in the pipeline are 6-6 Fil-Italian Nico Monacini, 6-8 Fil-German Christian Standhardinger who averaged 8.1 points for the University of Nebraska varsity this past season and 6-1 Fil-Italian Chris Banchero of Seattle Pacific University.

Fil-Am guard Chris Lutz of Marshall University is completing his obligations in school and will be ready to join Smart-Gilas for the Doha tournament.

Toroman said Lutz and another Fil-Am Marcio Lassiter must be issued their Philippine passports before the Doha competitions or else only one of them will qualify to play along with the naturalization candidate because of the two-import limitation.

“We’re 70 percent ready for the Asian Games in November,” said Toroman. “The balance of 30 percent will be covered by the import, other new recruits and small details in defense. I think we’re on target. In Australia last month, we played the best young players. In Serbia a week ago, we played tough pro teams with lots of experience and talent. We learned more from the competition in Serbia. Time is going fast. Before this month ends, we’ll leave for Las Vegas to play five games then move to Canada for three games. Then, it’s the Stankovic Cup in Beirut, the Jones Cup in Taipei and the Asian Games in Guangzhou.”

In Australia, Gilas won five, drew one and lost none. In Serbia, the team lost five and beat only Super Fund, 91-84. The losses were to Metalac Valjevo, 86-76, Mega Vizura, 75-70, Hemofarm Vrsac, 98-67, Partizan Belgrade, 87-71 and OKK Beogard, 80-79.

Lassiter, a gunner from California State at Fullerton, was the team’s most consistent scorer, firing 17 against Metalac, 17 against Beogard and 21 against Partizan. But he sat out the game against Mega with a strained hamstring.

Jared Homan NBA Draft Scouting Report-Smart Gilas Prospect

Source: http://www.draftexpress.com

Strengths
Jared Homan isn't quite a household name, but he has a very intriguing package of size, skill, and mentality that has certainly piqued the interest of NBA scouts.

Playing in a conference known for its rugged, physical play, Homan threw his body around with the best of them. At 6'10, 250, he never backs down from a physical challenge, and seems to relish a heated, energetic post matchup. One could say that he plays the game with a mean streak, and in the case of a scrappy player like Homan, that isn't a bad thing.

Once Homan has position in the post and gets the ball in his hands, good things tend to happen. Homan has a beautiful jump hook, that he is comfortable using fading away from the basket, or spinning into the middle of the lane. He has nice touch on the shot, and given his bulk, it's very hard to keep him from getting good looks on a consistent basis at the college level.

Homan also has touch on his midrange jumper, and is very comfortable facing up for a 10-15 footer.

As touched on above, Homan defines the term scrapper, and is a menace on the glass. Given that he doesn't mind using his body and creating contact, he always gets great position on the defensive glass.

As a defender, Homan will always battle to keep his man off the blocks and understands the nuances of good post defense. Surprisingly, Homan is also an accomplished shot blocker. He doesn't have the bounce of your typical shot-altering big man, but he does a good job of anticipating and helping out on the weak side.

Finally, it must be mentioned that Homan has shown steady improvement all four years at Iowa State. He started out as a mere roleplayer his freshman season, but was the Cyclones' main post option by his senior year.

Weaknesses
Jared Homan is a fairly well-rounded player, so there are no glaring weaknesses here. However, he isn't ever going to be an all-world type of athlete, so his upside may be somewhat limited.

Homan has a very nice frame, but he still could use some work in the weight room. He isn't an impressive leaper, and doesn't get up and down the court as well as an NBA big man should.

While Homan played over 36 minutes per game his senior year, his style of play left him visibly exhausted at times. His conditioning could use some improving, though this certainly shouldn't be a major issue.

While his size is very nice for an NBA power forward, Homan played mostly center at the college level. While there will always be certain matchups that Homan can exploit, he may be stuck somewhere in between being a lumbering PF and an undersized C.

One final area to mention about Homan is his low shooting percentage for a post player. Some of this might have to do with the conditioning issues mentioned above and the fact that he was ISU's only source of post offense, but it is somewhat disturbing that his field goal percentage dropped four years in a row.

Competition
In a conference full of rugged big men, players like Oklahoma's Kevin Bookout and Texas' Brad Buckman might be more well known, but Homan might have been the best of the bunch this past season.

Homan was a roleplayer as a freshman, averaging just 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in just 16.6 minutes per game. His role increased over the next two seasons, with his scoring increasing to 11.1 points per game by his junior year.

He averaged nearly 13.6 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior, to go along with 2.1 blocks per game.

Homan ended his career on a high note, with two impressive games in the NCAA tournament. He followed up a 14 point, 13 rebound, 7 block performance against Minnesota with 19 points and 20 boards against Sean May and North Carolina.

Homan was then invited to the 2005 Portsmouth Invitational where he was very impressive, helping his team to a 2nd place finish, and making DraftExpress' all-tournament team. He averaged 16.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in 3 games at the tourney.

Outlook
While Homan doesn't excite as much as many of the other big man prospects in this draft, he does have a surprisingly well-rounded game. His jump hook is a move that will translate over very nicely in the NBA, and he has the mentality to succeed as a journeyman for a few seasons, if necessary.

His athleticism probably limits his upside at the moment, leaving him as a potential early 2nd round pick. The fact that Iowa State has been producing NBA-quality big men for years (Kelvin Cato, Marcus Fizer, Paul Shirley, Jackson Vroman) probably doesn't hurt him.

All things considered, even as a second rounder, Homan has a chance for a long NBA career.

Smart Gilas may tap Iowa standout Jared Homan

Source: Philippine Star
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.

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Jared Homan's 2009-2010 Euroleague Game Statistics (click here)

Professional Career: Was on the Washington Wizards’ 2007 summer league roster and tallied averages of 2.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg in five appearances … spent the 2006-07 season playing in Turkey for Mersin and averaged 13.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.0 apg in 22 games … played in 14 FIBA Europe Cup games for Maroussi Athens during the 2005-06 season and posted averages of 8.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg … competed in the 2005 Reebok NBA Summer League for the Sacramento Kings and the 2005 Southern California Summer Pro League for the Miami Heat.

College Career: Finished career as Iowa State’s all-time leader in blocks (235), which is the fifth-best total in Big 12 history … became the 23rd player in school history to score 1,000 points, finishing with 1,124 … ranks sixth all-time in rebounds (777) … as a senior in 2004-05, named Third-Team All-Big 12 and to the Big 12 All-Underrated Team after he averaged 13.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 2.10 bpg and was the only Cyclone to start all 31 games … in his junior season (2003-04), averaged 11.1 ppg , 6.3 rpg and 2.30 pbg and named to the Big 12's All-Improved Team and Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 member … named to First-Team Academic All-Big 12 selection as a sophomore (2002-03) after he averaged 7.5 ppg and 6.4 rpg … appeared in all 31 games as a freshman in 2001-02 and averaged 3.6 ppg and 3.4 rpg.

Smart Gilas gains from Serbian stint

Source: Businessmirror
Smart Gilas Pilipinas ended its Serbian stint with another defeat and two injured players. The Filipinos bowed to Serbian Division I team Mega Vizura, 70-75, to finish their six-game, 10-day trip in Belgrade with a 1-5 win-loss mark. They had a 2-3 record last year.

Filipino-American recruit Marcio Lassiter did not play because of a pulled groin, while JV Casio injured his knee.

Still, the players said the trip was very fruitful.

After losing to Serbia’s top club Partizal Belgrade in their previous game, 71-87, the Nationals gave the hosts a tough time. But Mega Vizura’s hot shooting from the three-point area spelled the difference.

The home squad hit 12 of its 20 three-point attempts, while Gilas struggled with its perimeter game.

Greg Slaughter led the visiting team with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Gilas beat Mega Vizura last year, 94-87, but couldn’t a repeat.

The team’s only win in the trip was over Division 2 club Super Fund, 91-84. Gilas also bowed to Metalac Valjevo (86-76), OKK Beogard (80-79) and Hemofarm (98-67), all Division 1 teams.

The players and the coaching staff, headed by Serbian Rajko Toroman, were scheduled to arrive on Wednesday morning and will take a short break before flying to Las Vegas later this month for a nine-day training camp.

Gilas is also scheduled to play a two tune-up games in Vancouver, Canada, early next month before proceeding to Doha, Qatar, for the International Basketball Federation Asia Champions Cup from May 22 to 30—although the team has yet to confirm its participation in the tournament.

The team is also looking for a foreign player after prospect Dwayne Jones was signed by the playoff bound Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

According to Gilas team manager Frankie Lim, the team may hire its original choice, Courtney Sims, who was recently released by his team in the Puerto Rican basketball league.

Lim said Gilas is now “exploring every possibility and exercising all its options” to have a naturalized player in time for the qualifying events for the 2012 London Olympics.

The six-foot-11 Sims was a former Most Valuable Player in the Developmental League of the NBA and played college ball at University of Michigan. He played for the Indiana Pacers in 2007 and had stints with the Suns and New York Knicks last year before landing a job at CSKA Moscow in EuroLeague last season.

Courtney Sims good for Smart Gilas?

Source: Philippine Star
With top naturalization prospect Dwayne Jones and Brian Butch out of the picture, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now setting its sights on Courtney Sims as the team’s reinforcement in its quest for an Olympic berth.

Sims, a former D-League MVP who happens to be Smart Gilas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman’s original choice for naturalization, is reportedly now available after being released from Capitanes de Arecibo of the Puerto Rican League.

“We’re exploring every possibility and exercising all our options,” said Smart Gilas manager
Frankie Lim.

Meanwhile, Smart Gilas lost to Serbian League’s No. 1 team Partizan, 71-87, and fell to 1-4 (win-loss) card in their Serbian Tour. (UPDATE: Vizura def. Smart Gilas, 75-70)

The Serbians opted to play with just five members of their first team with rest coming from their second squad. But the hosts still dominated the smaller but gritty Filipinos, who put up a gallant stand before losing steam in the final five minutes.

“They were scoring from inside and outside. We had problems executing offensively and lost in the rebounding battle, 20-42. We shot poorly from outside and couldn’t convert our fast break attempts,” said Smart Gilas captain Chris Tiu.

Smart Gilas loses American prospect for naturalization

Source: http://www.tribuneonline.org

Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas’ chance of signing American slotman as its prospect for naturalization vanished in thin air after Dwayne Jones declined the offer in favor of a rare opportunity to see action in the NBA.

Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim yesterday confirmed that the defense-minded 6-foot-11 NBA Developmental League All-Star will make a grand return to the NBA after the Phoenix Suns acquired him for injured center Robin Lopez.

Lopez, in a report from The Arizona Republic, sustained a bulging disc, leaving the Suns with a gaping hole underneath entering the crucial stretch of the regular season.

“The Suns called him up, we just have to look for another one,” said Lim, who spearheaded the thorny negotiation with the former Saint John University star who was said to be the personal choice of Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman.

Gilas’ skipper Chris Tiu also admitted to have been devastated by the report which might put the squad’s Olympic preparation in serious jeopardy.

Gilas’ earlier choice, CJ Giles, was sent home due to erratic behavior while its second import, Jamal Sampson, was given the marching order after complaining numerous injuries. The Nationals are pressed to hire an import who could lead them to the import-flavored Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in May and the Asian Games in November.

“It looks like we just lost our prospective import, Dwayne Jones, to the Phoenix Suns which is about to sign him,” Tiu said.

Losing Jones, actually, is just half of Gilas’ misadventure.

In its ongoing Serbian road trip, the Nationals absorbed a 67-98 loss at the hands of Vrsac Hemofarm, the second-best ballclub in the Serbian League, Saturday night in Belgrade.

Vrsac Hemofarm is a Division I team in the Serbian League that has three Serbian national players, one Slovenian national team member and a handful of under-20 standouts.

“Just when we thought the competition can’t get tougher, we learned that we will be playing Partizan Team A on Monday,” Tiu said, referring to the most dreaded squad in Serbia.

“Yes, that’s the team that’s currently in the Final Four of the Euro League together with Olympiakos, Barcelona and CKSA Moscow by beating Maccabi Tel Aviv, 3-1.”

Gilas opened its Serbian campaign with a 76-86 loss to Mattalac Vallejo before pulling a 91-84 stunner over Division I-bound Superfund and losing a controversial 79-80 decision to OKK Beograd.