Local, foreign tiffs lined up for RP 5

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman has lined up a number of foreign and local tuneup tournaments and training programs designed to toughen up the RP team for upcoming international tournament.

“RP needs actual experience,” said Toroman during the team’s recent official launch. “I don’t think we’ll have success without it.”

Toroman said he is applying the same formula he used in steering the Iran national team to the FIBA-Asia championship in Tokushima, Japan two years ago allowing the Iranians to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“The Philippines is ranked 63rd in the world, Iran is 23rd. I don’t think the Filipino players are that far behind because I believe they are better and more talented,” said Toroman.

SBP executive director Noli Eala agrees.

“I would not accept that we are far behind. We have a chance to prove that with this team,” said Eala.

The Nationals will leave Friday to train in Serbia then proceed to the United States on April 19 before returning to the country three weeks later.

During their US trip, the SBP will conduct a training camp on May 2 and 3 in Las Vegas, Nevada for Filipino-American and US-based Filipino players, hoping to find a cager or two that can be added to the team.

From there, the team proceeds to Jakarta, Indonesia to compete in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup where it hopes to bring in former Golden State Warrior Chris Taft as reinforcement.

The 6-foot-10 Taft, who is being eyed by the SBP for naturalization, arrived early Friday and joined the team in practice last night at the Far Eastern University Gym.

“Chris Taft is high on our list. He has all the qualities we need,” said Eala.

The recent RP pool announced by the SBP will be skippered by former Ateneo hotshot Chris Tiu and co-captained by collegiate standout Mark Barroca.

The other pool members are 6-foot-11 Fil-Am Greg Slaughter, Dylan Ababou, JV Casio, Ryan Buenafe, JR Cawaling, Aldrech Ramos, Mac Baracael, Ford Arao, RJ Jazul, Rey Guevarra, Jason Ballesteros and Magi King Sison.

UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo and Paul Lee of University of the East are expected to join the team after the UAAP season while Cebu sensation Junimar Fajardo and US-based Japeth Aguilar, playing for NCAA Division I school Western Kentucky U, and Giancarlo Chiu are also being eyed.