Boban warns Gilas of Jordan

MANILA, Philippines — SGA center Boban Marjanovic said yesterday Jordan will be a tough opponent for Gilas in the fourth FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window at the MOA Arena on Friday and described the West Asia team as tricky. Marjanovic, 38, scored 21 points to lead SGA to a 96-91 win over Jordan in the playoff for fifth place at the Jones Cup in Taipei last Friday. It was a close game even as Jordan played without naturalized Jalen Harris who arrived from the US the day before the contest.

“I know about the coming qualifier and good luck to Gilas,” said Marjanovic, a nine-year NBA veteran from Serbia. “Jordan can be tricky. If you don’t put in the effort, if you walk and don’t play defense, you lose. Stick to the team concept. It’s not about any one player. Basketball is a team sport and you win if you play together.”

Marjanovic downplayed his effort against Jordan. It was his highest output in SGA’s six outings. “I don’t play for myself,” he said. “It’s not about me, it’s about the whole team.” As for the Jones Cup organizers changing the format to seed Chinese-Taipei A into the semifinals regardless of its group stage record, Marjanovic said he couldn’t understand why. “We had five wins but we didn’t advance,” he said. “Our group was tough. We had three days of practice while the other teams, three or four years playing together. The problem was our first game which we lost but we got better and better.”

Marjanovic said after the Jones Cup, he’ll focus on settling his family in Serbia. His two sons Vuk, 14, and Petar, 10, are enrolling in school next month. Marjanovic, wife Milica and their two sons had lived in the US during his NBA career. “My plan is set up my kids in school,” he said. “Nothing about basketball for the moment. But basketball is my life, playing makes me happy. I love to play. It’s a global game and I know there are first-class leagues anywhere in the world.” Marjanovic played in Russia, Lithuania and Serbia before joining the NBA as a 27-year-old rookie with San Antonio in 2013. Then he played for Detroit, LA Clippers, Philadelphia, Dallas and Houston, earning over $38.8 million, before signing as an import in Turkey, China and Slovenia. He’s a three-time Serbian league MVP and suited up for his country at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

There are playing and show business options ahead for the 7-4 gentle giant. His playing skills are still in demand and he has appeared in several movies, TV shows and commercials. Wherever he plays, Marjanovic is always a fan favorite, friendly, accessible and obliging. Who knows? In the future, Marjanovic may find himself playing in the PBA.