By June Navarro
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines – After dropping CJ Giles from the national team roster, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas wasted no time searching for somebody to fill the huge gap.
And soon as the 6-foot-11 former LA Lakers draftee boarded the plane bound for the United States, the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team has already picked former NBA players Jamal Sampson, Shaun Pruitt and Earl Barron Jr. as possible replacements.
From among the three candidates, SBP executive director Noli Eala said the 6-foot-11 Sampson, who played for five NBA ballclubs since 2002, would most likely make it.
“He’s available and interested,’’ Eala told the Inquirer. “He’s a legitimate NBA center and is probably the most versatile.’’
Selected in the second round and 46th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Sampson belonged to a talented rookie class headed by top pick Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, Phoenix’s Amare Stoudamire and Tayshaun Prince of Detroit, among others.
The Jazz traded Sampson, a cousin of 1983 NBA top pick Ralph Sampson, to the Orlando Magic before the 235-pound power forward-center landed to the Milwaukee Bucks where he spent most of his rookie season.
Sampson, 26, also played briefly for the Lakers, appearing in only 10 games, the Charlotte Bobcats, Sacramento Kings and the Denver Nuggets. He was waived by the Dallas Mavericks during the 2007-2008 season.
After playing 72 NBA games, the University of California-Berkeley alum posted career averages of 2.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.4 blocks in 8.8 minutes per game.
Next on the priority list are the 6-foot-10 Pruitt, who had a short stint with the Golden State Warriors, and the 7-foot Barron, Red Bull’s import in the 2005 Philippine Basketball Association reinforced conference.
Pruitt, 24, played for the University of Illinois and registered 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds throughout his entire collegiate career.
Undrafted in the NBA, Pruitt’s professional stint took off in the Czech Republic and China before the Warriors signed him up. He was released by the Warriors last month and temporarily hooked up with Peristeri BC in the A2 Ethniki (Greek league).
Barron was part of the 2006 NBA champions Miami Heat until 2008 before signing up a US$2-million, one-year deal with Italian club Fortitudo Bologna. He was waived by New Orleans Hornets last month.
Giles, who missed last Friday’s game against Sta. Lucia Realty due to a foot injury, signed a one-year pact, which includes housing and a car plus other perks and bonuses. Gilas has been seeing action in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup as a guest squad.
``After a long and thorough evaluation of CJ’s performance in the last month, it was our decision to pre-terminate his contract and cut him from Smart Gilas,’’ said Eala.
``The coaching staff felt that he has underperformed this last month due to lack of focus and various injuries,’’ added Eala.
Source
It's good to know that the Smart Gilas management are constantly on the lookout for new talent such as these guys.
By WAYLON GALVEZ
Barangay Ginebra hardly missed it two key players as it streaked to its third straight win by beating the Smart-Gilas national team, 100-72, in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Ronald Tubid scored 22 points, including 10 in the torrid third quarter when the Kings unleashed a 17-4 attack that shattered a 47-47 deadlock and gave them a 64-51 advantage with 4:43 left in the period.
In that run, the 6-foot-2 Tubid scored nine points highlighted by a two three-pointers to put Ginebra, which played minus Eric Menk (fractured right pinky toe) and Mark Caguioa (strained right knee), ahead for good.
Ginebra also got 15 points from reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jayjay Helterbrand, while two other players produced double-double figures with JC Intal making 11 points and 10 rebounds and Rico Villanueva adding 11 points and 11 boards.
Willy Wilson also had eight and 10 boards to underscore Ginebra’s depth.
“We know that Mark and Eric are not there, we’ve got to find ways to fill the spots in the next few weeks,” Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico said. “It’s good now we started healthy, hopefully they’ll get healthy soon.”
The win gave the Kings the early lead with a 3-0 win-loss card, while keeping the Nationals winless in the tournament.
Gilas also played without two of its mainstays, American import CJ Giles, who was in street clothes after he was excused to play by Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman to deal with personal problems, and injured Chris Tiu (left quadriceps).
Uichico said that it could have been different story if the 6-foot-10 Giles had played.
“Siyempre malaking bagay na wala iyong import,” Uichico said. “They’ve got a fluid offense and they’ve got shooters. All they need is experience and the physicality.”
“They’re so young, that’s right idea. Playing together and grow as a team. They can have teamwork. We need to really naturalize, it makes the game easier if we have a big guy,” he added.
The scores:
First Game
Ginebra 100 — Tubid 22, Helterbrand 15, Intal 11, Vilanueva 11, Wilson 8, Cruz 6, Mamaril 6, Baguio 6, Salvacion 6, Kramer 4, Alvarez 3, White 2.
Smart-Gilas 72 — Barroca 20, Al Hussaini 14, Casio 11, Barracael 9, Aguilar 7, Ramos 4, Jazul 3, Cawaling 2, Ballesteros 2, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 43-38, 70-58, 100-72.
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This may be a loss but I see it as a another learning experience for Smart Gilas.
TOROMAN UNIMPRESSED?
By Julius Manicad
The Filipino-Australian pair of Sep Salinas and Matt Schemechtig quietly left Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team for Perth, Australia shortly after facing the Singapore Slingers in an exhibition game recently.
But, chances are, they will stay there for good.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) project director Rajko Toroman said they are having hard time evaluating the performance of Salinas and Schemechtig since they also play the same position like other local amateur standouts.
The 6-foot-4 sweet-shooting Salinas was bunched in the wing position with Rey Guevara, Dylan Ababou, JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos while 6-foot Schemechtig is too small at the No. 2 guard position, making it impossible for him to compete with Mark Barocca, RJ Jazul, JV Casio, Chris Tiu and, probably, Chris z for playing minutes.
A Marshall University standout, z is set to join the team after playing out his final varsity year in the Division I of the US NCAA next summer.
Toroman, however, refused to admit that Salinas and Schemechtig will not be hired, but said they do not offer anything spectacular compared to other Gilas standouts or other prospects like z, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Marco Fajardo and Paul Lee.
SBP will make a decision in the next few days.
"Maybe in the next seven to 10 days," said Toroman, the Serbian mentor who steered Iran to a rare Olympic appearance in the 2008 Beijing Games. "They play the same position with a lot of players on the team, that’s why we’re having a difficult time deciding."
Smart Gilas faced Powerade Team Pilipinas last night in a charity game at the Araneta Coliseum. Salinas and Schemechtig, however, were not around to impress Toroman and other SBP executives.
SBP executive director Noli Eala refused to comment, saying the final decision still depends on Toroman.
In Gilas’ previous game against the Slingers — the only official game where the Fil-Australian duo saw action — Salinas and Schemechtig were way below expectation despite what Eala claimed to be a "decent performance" from the tandem.
Salinas logged only two points while Schemechtig went scoreless in few forgettable minutes.
"In (the) last game against Singapore, they didn’t play good and one of them has an injury problem and he couldn’t perform well," Toroman said.
"If these two players are better than our players, we will invite them back. If they play on the same level like Rey Guevarra, or Jazul, that will be a reason to invite them back."
Source
We need the best of the best out there. Being fil-australian does not automatically make them better than our local guys.
Maybe someday, they can still rejoin the team if they prove themselves worthy. I wouldn't be counting them out.
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) chairman Lito Alvarez is not losing hope in having Japeth Aguilar suit up for Burger King with only four days to go before the opening of the league’s 35th season.
Alvarez said he believes the best solution to end this row is for the Samahang Basketol ng Pilipnas (SBP), led by Manny V. Pangilinan, to intervene and advice Aguilar to finally sign with the Whopper in order for him to play for Smart Gilas as well.
Alvarez said SBP executive director Noli Eala sent a text message assuring that the SBP is the PBA’s ally and will support the league all the way.
“Noli texted me and said kakampi niyo kami, so I am banking on his word that SBP won’t offer anything to Japeth unless he resolves the issue with Burger King," said Alvarez.
Aguilar is Burger King’s controversial top overall pick in the last PBA rookie draft but decided to back out to pursue a career with Smart Gilas under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.
This delicate issue between Burger King and the former Western Kentucky University player is yet to be resolved with the season-opening Philippine Cup ready to open on Sunday, Oct. 11.
But what surprised everyone during the league’s 35th season launching was the fact that Aguilar’s name was included in the roster of Smart Gilas, which will play as a guest team in the PBA, but the controversy added another twist when video clips of the 6-foot-9 cager from the draft and his stints in the Powerade-Pilipinas team as well as his highlight plays were deleted during the presentation.
“I was surprised when I saw Aguilar’s name in the line up of Smart Gilas even though Burger King and the (SBP) are still discussing the issue," said Alvarez.
Whether the young cager would come to terms with Burger King and pursue his PBA career, which would also allow him to play for Smart Gilas, or stick with the SBP-backed squad and face a stiff sanction from turning his back from the pro league remains to be seen.
Alvarez said the best of both worlds, which Burger King offered, remains on the table and he has discussed that with Aguilar’s parents. - GMANews.TV
“I had the opportunity of talking to the parents of Japeth and told them that why would Japeth pass up the opportunity of earning P60-million in his basketball career in the Philippines while playing both for Burger King and Smart Gilas?," Alvarez said. “It’s either double or nothing that’s his only choice."
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I hope this issue will be settled soon. Clearly, the better choice is having double the money. If that's what pleases Lito Alvarez then Japeth Aguilar should go for it.
MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U is in a dilemma whether to drop team captain Mark Barroca from its roster or allow him to play when it squares off with University of the East tomorrow in the Final Four of the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament tomorrow at the Big Dome. There were speculations that Barroca, a co-captain at Pilipinas, will not be allowed to suit up after the FEU skipper allegedly held back part of his game toward the end of the elimination round.
Top FEU officials neither confirmed nor denied the report but said they would come out with an official statement soon.
“No comment for now, the situation is fluid,” said league president Anton Montinola of host FEU.
However, FEU sources said that Barroca, who averaged a team best 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals, has not left the FEU campus in Morayta or the team quarters.
“Barroca is still in the campus,” a source told The STAR.
There were reports that the Tams may opt to play the Warriors without Barroca because of a drop in his performance but top school officials are reportedly still mulling the possibility of the ace player returning to the FEU fold.
“The fact that he (Barroca) is still in the campus reinforces talks that he might still play in the Final Four although the chances (of his suiting up) are slim,” said the same source.
Although Montinola didn’t admit it, a media clampdown was being enforced at the moment among all FEU officials, coaching staff headed by Glenn Capacio and the players themselves.
Barroca scored only eight points, all in the first quarter, in a 73-74 loss to Ateneo at the close of the second round where FEU led by as many as 18 points.
“It’s a very sensitive issue, I want to protect him,” said Montinola of Barroca.
FEU had its share of controversy in the league with former mainstay Mac Baracael being shot by an unidentified gunman in the middle of last year’s season. Baracael, now with Pilipinas, survived the incident and managed to return late in the tournament.
Two years ago, FEU also sacked forward Alfred Gerilla for unknown reasons while the 2006 squad was revamped as it crashed out of the Final Four a season after winning the men’s crown.
There were reports that Barroca denied the allegations of being involved in game-fixing and the entire team would give its full support to its skipper in the event the school officials would allow him to play in the Final Four.
FEU, which finished second after the elimination round with an 11-3 (win-loss) slate, plays No. 3 UE at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow and would need just a win to advance to the best-of-three finale.
The other semifinals pitting reigning champion Ateneo, which topped the elimination with a 13-1 card, against No. 4 Santo Tomas is scheduled the next day at 3:30 p.m. at the same venue.
The Eagles also own the critical twice-to-beat bonus.
By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)
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This is the first time i've heard about this Barroca guy. He's not as popular as the top players in Ateneo and UST that I know about.
THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) added two Filipino-Australians to its developmental pool as it continues to work on its goal to form the strongest team possible for the 2011 International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia tournament. SBP executive director Noli Eala said on Thursday Sep Salinas and Matt Scheptig will arrive on Sunday to try out for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team.
“This is SBP’s continuing effort to form the most competitive team for future international tournaments,” Eala said in a statement.
Salinas and Shceptig will join Japeth Aguilar and American CJ Giles and the country’s top amateur standouts in an exhibition game against the Singapore Slingers on September 23 in Singapore. There were no other details that were immediately made available, except that they are based in Melbourne.
Aguilar had his first practice with Smart Gilas on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena, almost 20 days since announcing his decision to play for the national team instead of honoring his commitment with Burger King, the team that drafted him No. 1 in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in August.
In his Twitter account, Smart Gilas aspirant Chris Tiu said: “Had a fun and productive training session today with Smart Gilas team! So fun to have Japeth and CJ Giles together as your big men!”
Eala refused to comment on whether the 22-year-old Aguilar has finally decided to play for the Smart Gilas team and sign a contract with them.
But according to Burger King head coach Yeng Guiao, team manager Lito Alvarez just allowed Aguilar to do scrimmages with the SBP’s national team while they are still trying to find a solution to the issue.
Aguilar, who played for Guiao in the Fiba-Asia tournament in Tianjin, China, turned down Burger King’s three-year, P8.7-million offer.
The PBA is still discussing possible sanctions on Aguilar.
Written by Joel Orellana / Reporter
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I wonder what positions Sep Salinas and Matt Scheptig play. It's great to know that Noli Eala and the rest of the SBP are putting forth effort in trying to form the best possible line-up for Smart Gilas in the upcoming 2011 International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia tournament. I'm really excited about how things would turn out for the team. The future certainly looks promising for Team Pilipinas.
Top overall pick rookie Japeth Aguilar and the Burger King management are all set to resolve their differences before the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 35th season kicks off.
A reliable source, who requested anonymity, told The Manila Times that Aguilar will meet Burger King Team Governor and PBA Chairman Lito Alvarez to sign the P8.7-million three-year contract once the 6’10” rookie returns to the country from the United States.
“I think they [Aguilar’s camp] realized now what would be the consequences,” said the source. “As far as I know Japeth’s father [Peter Aguilar] is doing what’s the best for his son and that’s to play in the PBA and serve the country. I’m sure everything will be fine in just few days.”
The source also cited that Aguilar’s problem regarding his former agent Dondon Monteverde, who is set to sue him for contract breach, as one of the many reasons why the former West Kentucky standout is thinking of renewing talks with Burger King.
Aguilar, who went to the US for a two-week vacation, had previously refused to sign with Burger King—the team that selected him as the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. The top pick wanted to play with the Smart Gilas team under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.
But Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Noli Eala clarified that they have no standing offer to Aguilar to play with Smart Gilas.
Alvarez quoted Samahang Basketbol President Manny Pangilinan as saying that Smart Gilas will not entertain Aguilar unless the conflict between him and the Burger King management is resolved.
Besides, the action of Aguilar doesn’t also sit well with other PBA board of governors.
Had Aguilar refused to sign with Burger King, he would have been given a severe sanction, possibly a lifetime ban to play in the pro league.
By Josef T. Ramos, Correspondent
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This has really become quite a mess for Japeth. The PBA is a big business so it's not difficult to see why so many people are upset about his decision. It's too bad that he wasn't able to sort things out in the past. That way, he would've been able to choose where he really wanted to go.
Hopefully, Japeth Aguilar can still join Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the 2011 FIBA-Asia men's championship and perhaps even the 2012 London Olympics.
Proof that it is leaving no stones unturned in its ambitious quest to qualify in the 2012 London Olympics, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has officially signed up former Los Angeles Laker CJ Giles for a one-year contract. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala said having Giles agreed to sign up and play for the RP-Smart Gilas team is the first major step in acquiring a long-sought naturalized player.
Eala refused to disclose the amount involved in the contract, but hinted it is close to the salary being received by a PBA import.
Reinforcements in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league approximately get $15,000 a month, an amount that could net the 23-year-old Giles $180,000 or roughly P7.27 million a month.
Eala has been vocal about SBP’s plans to naturalize Giles as part of its ambitious project to qualify in the 2012 London Olympics. “We’re really excited to have CJ in the lineup. It’s one of the ingredients that will give (the Nationals) a better shot at an Olympic slot in London."
The 6-foot-10 American is still in the U.S. after attending the NBA Summer League recently playing for the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 7.2 points and 7.0 rebounds. But he is expected to return here on September 1 and start practicing with Serbian coach Rajko Toroman and the RP-Smart Gilas team.
The SBP is now in the process of seeking the help of Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno to speed up the naturalization of Giles, who played with the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oregon State Beavers during his college years.
Puno heads the Committee on Youth and Sports development in the House of Representatives and once worked with Eala during his stint as PBA commissioner.
The SBP, according to Eala, has the option to extend Giles’ contract depending on how he performs with the Smart-Gilas team.
Aside from the monthly stipend, part of the multi-million contract also includes a house and a car service. Eala added: he can also bring with him his brother and three-year old son."
Giles, who was never selected during the 2008 NBA Draft, first made an impression when he reinforced the Smart Gilas team in the recent FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the Nationals made the quarterfinals and eventually finished fifth overall.
Several teams, according to Eala, had been recruiting Giles as possible naturalized player, including regional powerhouse Lebanon.
Unable to sign up Giles, the Lebanese eventually settled with Mahram-Iran’s import Jackson Vroman, who already suited up for Lebanon in the 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship in Tianjin, China.
As part of its training for next year’s Asian Games, the RP-Smart Gilas team will be playing as a guest ballclub in the coming 35th season of the PBA, with Giles expected to suit up for the Nationals. – GMANews.TV
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With Giles, Team Pilipinas has certainly solidified the center position. I just wonder who his back-up is going to be.
PERHAPS the Japeth Aguilar camp has realized the 22-year-old, six-foot-10 player’s refusal to sign up with Burger King in favor of a stint in the national team leaned more on the negative than on the positive. On Wednesday morning Peter Aguilar, the ex-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player and national team member, came out in public and told a radio program via overseas phone call that money was never an the issue.
And the elder Aguilar hinted their camp would no longer explore the possibility about his son reversing his decision and eventually signing up with Burger King.
“Money is not involved here,” Aguilar, who played five seasons in the PBA, told dzSR Sports Radio. “Hindi naman kami naghihirap dito [United States]. Kung pera lang, pareho lang naman ng offer. Gusto lang talaga maglaro ni Japeth sa national team.”
The young Aguilar has been on the hot seat since the BusinessMirror broke the news that he is not interested about a PBA career but in a stint with the national team under the Smart Gilas squad.
Aguilar was picked No. 1 in the annual draft last month by Burger King. He was offered a maximum three-year deal worth P8.7 million by Burger King.
Both Lito Alvarez, Burger King’s representative to the PBA board and incoming league chairman, and head coach Yeng Guiao fumed at Aguilar’s decision.
Even commissioner Sonny Barrios implied his dismay over Aguilar and made statements that bordered on propriety in the youngster making sound decisions and for him to speak for himself and not through his agent or manager.
Aguilar, according to Barrios, was offered the same package by Smart Gilas, which, interestingly, is bankrolled by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, a coowner of Burger King.
There are unconfirmed reports though that Aguilar is bound to receive more, perhaps in perks, from Smart Gilas, which is honing for the 2011 Asian championship where the winner will get a slot in the 2012 London Olympics. Aguilar, however, denied this.
In the radio interview, the older Aguilar said his son has decided to stick it out with the national team while he was still in Tianjin where he was sparingly used against the stronger teams.
“Noong nasa China siya, sinabihan niya ako na gusto niya ulit maglaro sa national team,” said Peter Aguilar. “Sabi ko sa kanya, ikaw magde-desisyon kung ano talaga ang gusto mong gawin.”
Ironically, the young Aguilar announced before Tianjin that he was interested in a PBA career. He, too, submitted his application for the draft, reportedly through his agent Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Before the draft, he told media he was feeling wary about him being the No. 1 pick. He attended the draft and was obviously beaming when he was picked No. 1.
Asked if his son would ever change his mind, Aguilar was almost blunt in saying it is no longer possible at this point.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi na siguro. Naiintindihan ko na masama ang loob nila kay Japeth pero talagang sa national team muna gusto maglaro ni Japeth ngayon,” he said.
The young Aguilar is currently in the United States for a two-week vacation.
Written by Joel Orellana
Source
Looks like BK has just wasted their draft pick. You cant blame them since they didnt see this one coming. For the sake of their fans, they should find a way to bounce back from this setback.
Daunting the task may be, but Smart-Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman is optimistic about his team’s chances of earning the lone berth at stake for Asia in the 2012 London Olympics.
“It’s not going to be easy, but we have to believe that we can do that (qualify for the Olympics)," said Toroman, whose young wards are preparing for the 2011 FIBA-Asia men's championship that serves as qualifier for the London Games.
"In the beginning it may be painful, we will lose some games, we will be sacrificing, we will be going through some difficult situations. But in the end, our goal is 2011 (FIBA-Asia meet) and we will do everything to put things together," he added.
Along with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala, Toroman scouted the opposition during the last FIBA-Asia championship in Tianjin, China and noted that besides the host team, the Middle East countries, specifically Jordan, Lebanon and Iran, a squad he used to coach in the past, have slowly risen as emerging powers in Asian basketball.
The Iranians, now handled by another Serbian in Veselin Matic, routed Yi Jianlian and the Chinese national team, 70-52, in the championship game to retain their title.
“You saw that the competition was very strong in China. So it’s difficult now to judge about our chances," said Toroman, the architect of Iran’s rise to power in Asian basketball.
But Eala saw something positive in Iran’s big win over a country long been considered as the best in Asia.
“I think the biggest thing that gave me hope was when Iran beat China in their homecourt. If you look at Iran, it’s no bigger than us, except maybe for (center) Hamed Ehahadi who’s really the focal point. But everyone else, I guess, is comparable to us.
“But it’s not so much the height and the size of Iran that impresses me, but it’s their look of confidence and the look that they are having fun as a team….when you look at them, it’s like they’ve been living together the past 20 years. They just seem like they know one another very well," said Eala.
Also part of Eala’s optimism is the long-term program the basketball association has implemented through the formation of the Gilas team under Toroman.
“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, referring to Toroman.
Outside of the program and a coach knowledgeable in the international type of play, Eala also cited the full backing of corporate sponsor Smart, exposure to a lot of games and tournaments abroad, and the commitment of the players to the team as the other key components that hopefully would help Gilas Pilipinas achieve its goal in 2011.
“With all of these ingredients together, we are hopeful, we are optimistic that we have a program that is in place," Eala said.
Then again, the SBP official reiterated that it wouldn’t be easy for the Gilas squad.
“It’s gonna 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.
The 54-year-old Toroman 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 the Iranians up and made them what they are 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 those 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. - GMANews.TV
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I like the optimism from Coach Toroman. If we are going to put forth effort in joining something, we should be in it to win it.
COACHES are divided in their opinion on American CJ Giles playing for Smart Gilas in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup in October. Sta. Lucia’s Boyet Fernandez and Rain or Shine’s Caloy Garcia said Smart Gilas would have undue advantage with Giles around. Giles remains an American until after he is naturalized for him to be able to suit up for the national team.
“Helping the national team is fine with me,” Fernandez told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “But having an import, huwag na siguro. May bearing kasi, mahirap talaga kapag may import ang kalaban.”
Smart Gilas would be considered a regular team in the Philippine Cup, an all-Filipino conference. That means the national developmental team of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) could bring home the trophy if they top the tournament.
“Puwede sigurong sumali si Giles kapag may import na sa second conference,” added Fernandez, referring to the Fiesta Cup.
Garcia echoed Fernandez’s opinion and stressed Giles should only suit up in the Fiesta Cup.
But Siot Tanquingcen of San Miguel Beer and Jong Uichico of Barangay Ginebra see it otherwise.
“For me, okay lang. The more you increase the level of competition, the better it is for the teams, the league and the fans,” said Tanquingcen.
“I guess, it’s okay to help the country,” Uichico said.
Incoming board chairman Lito Alvarez of Burger King has earlier raised the issue about Giles’s citizenship and said he would ask his fellow governors to decide on it.
Giles, a six-foot-11 forward, is arriving on September 1. SBP has offered him a one-year contract to play for Smart Gilas in the 2011 International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia qualifier.
Written by Joel Orellana
Source
If CJ Giles is naturalized then i'm all for it. If philippine big men want to improve, then they should accept this oppurtunity to play against Giles as a challenge.
JAPETH AGUILAR, the No. 1 draft pick, reportedly would not be donning a Burger King (BK) jersey after all in the coming 35th season of the Philippine Basketball Association. The BusinessMirror learned that Aguilar’s negotiations with BK management on Wednesday bogged down. Aguilar reportedly does not chart his basketball career. Ex-pro Peter, his father, and Ronnie Nathanielsz, a newspaper columnist and sports broadcaster who is said to be his manager, do the negotiating.
The six-foot-10, 22-year-old Aguilar, the BusinessMirror learned further, would instead play for Smart Gilas, a developmental team being honed for the 2011 continental championship that would determine Asia’s representative to the 2012 London Olympics.
Interestingly, telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, who funds the Smart Gilas team, is a part-owner of Burger King. He is also president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which has the Smart Gilas in its long-term programs.
Written by Rick Olivares / Columnist
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It wont be good for BK if Japeth does end up joining Smart Gilas. They will have wasted their draft pick and along with it, a chance to solify their team.
