MANILA, Philippines - Nakatakdang bumiyahe ngayong umaga ang Smart Gilas Pilipinas patungong Wuhan, China para sumabak sa 26th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championships.
Sa hangaring makalaro sa 2012 Olympic Games sa London, kumuha ang Smart Gilas ng isang naturalized player at humiram ng apat na PBA reinforcements.
Unang makakasagupa ng Nationals sa Wuhan ang Bahrain sa Huwebes.
“It will not be easy but we surely are sending the best Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas could put together under the circumstances,” sabi ni SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas.
“One thing I’m sure about is that our players will give it all they have for flag and country. We might spring a few surprises as underdogs against perennial favorites,” dagdag pa nito.
Kumbinsido naman ang coaching staff na may tsansang manalo ang Smart Gilas.
Sinabi ni head coach Rajko Toroman na ang prayoridad nila ay ang makapasok sa knockout stage.
Ang Serbian mentor, isang one-time FIBA-Asia winner, ang namahala sa huling ensayo ng Nationals sa Meralco Gym kahapon.
“With Marcus Douthit plus the four pros (Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jimmy Alapag and Asi Taulava), the good draw, the format, with no Yao Ming (for China) plus a little luck, we have a legit chance to win it all,” wika naman ni assistant coach Chot Reyes.
“Tactically and technically, coach Rajko is prepared. He has done a tremendous job bringing our country to respectable level,” ani Ryan Gregorio, assistant rin ni Toroman.
Ayon pa kay Gregorio, malaki ang maitutulong ni Douthit sa kampanya ng koponan.
“Douthit’s help will be critical on both ends because he has the size, length and intelligence to compete against the best centers in Asia. But the biggest contributions are coming from Ranidel and Kelly at position No. 4 and Jimmy at point guard,” ani Gregorio.
Pinalakas rin nina Williams, De Ocampo at Alapag ang pag-asa ng Nationals.
Ang mga koponan na sinasabi ni Toroman na mga mabibigat ay ang China, Korea at Japan buhat sa East Asia at Iran, Jordan, Lebanon at Qatar mula sa Middle East.