6'9 na Cebuano inaasinta ni Toroman para sa Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Maliban kina dating Los Angeles Lakers’ slotman CJ Giles at 6-foot-10 Cebuano giant Greg Slaughter, ang 6’9 na si Junmar Fajardo ng University of Cebu ang isa pang sentrong pinupuntirya ni Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

Sa kanyang unang laro para sa University of Cebu sa collegiate league sa Cebu City na CESAFI noong Agosto ng 2008, humakot si Fajardo ng 30 puntos, 13 rebounds at 9 shotblocks laban sa Southwestern University.

Minsan na ring humanga sina National University consultant Junel Baculi at Letran College assistant coach Mel Alas kay Fajardo nang mapanood nila ito sa CESAFI Final Four.

“Fajardo is very young, very tall, very talented big player from Cebu. He made a lot of improvement and he will be our option next year,” ani Toroman kahapon sa lingguhang PSA sports forum sa Shakey’s sa U.N. Avenue, Manila.

Bukod kina Fajardo, Giles at Slaughter, hinihintay rin ni Toroman para sumama sa Smart Gilas sina 6’6 Rabeh Al-Hussaini ng UAAP champions Ateneo De Manila University at 6’4 American guard Chris Lutz ng Marshall University.

“With Greg Slaughter, Fajardo, CJ Giles, and Rabeh, I think we have a respectable big guys and it will not be anymore the weakness of Smart Gilas,” ani Toroman, tinulungan ang Iran sa paghahari sa 2007 FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship sa Tukoshima, Japan para makalahok sa 2008 Olympic Games sa Beijing, China.

Ang Smart Gilas ng Sama-hang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) ay kinabibilangan nina Andy Barroca, Dylan Ababou, JV Casio, Chris Tiu, RJ Jazul, Rey Guevarra, Mac Baracael, Aldrech Ramos at JR Cawaling.

Ang Smart Gilas ay sasabak sa 2010 Asian Games sa Guangzhou, China at sa 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship na siyang qualifying event para sa 2012 London Olympics.

Bahagi ng preparasyon ng Smart Gilas ang pagsabak sa darating na Philippine Cup ng Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) sa Oktubre bilang guest team.

Gusto ni Toroman na makuha ang serbisyo nina 6’9 Japeth Aguilar ng Burger King, Gabe Norwood ng Rain or Shine at Jared Dillinger ng Talk ‘N Text.

“I think coach Toroman has also been looking at Japeth (Aguilar). Of course, this is something that we have to discuss with Japeth himself, with his team (Burger King) and with the PBA.” (Russell Cadayona)