DUBAI-- Laban sa mas malalakas na Al Riyadi ng Lebanon, kakailanganin ng Smart Gilas ang kanilang determinasyon sa semifinal round ng 21st Dubai Invitational dito sa Al Ahli Indoor Stadium.
Ipaparada ng Al Riyadi ang dating import ng Smart Gilas na si 6-foot-11 CJ Giles.
Maliban kay Giles, sasandalan rin ng Al Riyadi sina dating PBA reinforcement Nate Johnson, Shawn Colson, ang naturalized American-born player na si Joe Vogel, ang US-born Lebanese na si Matt Freije at ang Canadian-raised Lebanese na si Ali Mahmoud.
Ayon kay Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, alam niya ang lakas ng Al Riyadi.
“I know Lebanon is a big team. We were actually joking that this is an American team plus three imports and members of Lebanese squad,” ani Toroman. “That means they’re very strong, they’ve one of the best players in the tournament (Johnson), they have Vogel, they have CJ Giles, they have one point guard who is playing in the NBA (Colson), three or four more playing in the NBA.”
Dahil sa masamang impluwensya sa Nationals, pinauwi ng Smart Gilas si Giles at ipinalit ang dati ring NBA player na si Jamal Sampson.
Upang makaharap ang Al Riyadi sa semis, tinalo muna ng Smart Gilas ang Al Jazeera ng Egypt sa quarterfinals, 82-78.
“Our players didn’t play in the professional league until now so that makes Al Riyadi the big favorite. But you know these guys showed the heart and I believe it will be a tough time for Al Riyadi,” dagdag ni Toroman.
Ginitla na ng Smart Gilas ang Al Riyadi sa nakaraang 2009 FIBA-Asia Champions Cup sa Jakarta, Indonesia.
“The last time we won over this team. They played Ali Mahmoud, Ali El Turk, Nate Johnson in Jakarta and they have a good team but we won the game,” ani Toroman.