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.

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

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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.