Dating Warriors kinuha ng SBP para sa Smart Gilas National team

MANILA, Philippines - Isang dating Warrior ng Golden State sa National Baskteball Association (NBA) ang siyang magiging kauna-unahang ‘naturalized player’ ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Mula sa Atlanta, Georgia, nakatakdang dumating sa bansa si 6-foot-11 American cager Chris Taft bilang bahagi ng long-term program ni SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan at Serbian coach Rajko Toroman para sa inaasam na paglalaro sa 2012 Olympic Games sa London.

Si Taft, ayon kay SBP executive director Noli Eala, ay inirekomenda ni  Toronto Raptors’ director of player personnel Jim Kelly na dati namang coaching consultant ng Great Taste sa PBA.

 “This will be the first step and I think we were able to find the right player to naturalize for our national team,” ani Eala, nasa listahan rin ang mga pangalan nina 7’3 Keith Closs ng Los Angeles Clippers, 6’9 Gentry Lewis ng Delta State, seven-foot Deng D’Awol ng Wayland Baptist at dalawa pang Serbian centers.

 Ang tubong New York na si Taft ay tinanghal ng Golden State Warriors bilang second round draft pick noong 2005 NBA Draft kung saan siya nakatanggap ng suweldong $664,209 noong 2006-07 bago naglaro para sa tropa ng Rio Grande Valley Vipers sa NBDL. 

Mapapabilang ang 23-anyos na si Taft sa binuong 14-man roster na tinagurian ng SBP na “Smart Gilas Team.”   

 Tatayo naman sina Chris Tiu ng Ateneo De Manila University at Mark Barroca ng Far Eastern University bilang team captain at co-team captain, ayon sa pagkakasunod, kasama sina Mac Baracael, Ryan Buenafe, Jayson Ballesteros, RJ Jasul, Rey Guevarra, JV Casio, Clifford Arao, Eldrich Ramos at 6’8 Fil-Am Greg Slaughter.

 “The quest begins for the 2012 London Olympics,” sabi ni Pangilinan sa nasabing program. “It’s going to be a great sacrifice for these young men, but it’s worth it for flag and country.” 

Idinagdag naman ni Eala na hihintayin muna nilang matapos ang 2009 UAAP men’s basketball tournament bago muling kausapin sina 2008 UAAP Most Valuable Player Rabeh Al-Hussaini ng Ateneo at Paul Lee ng University of the East. (Russell Cadayona)