Trouble ahead but SBP upbeat

MANILA, Philippines – After demolishing the opposition in the SEABA tournament in Medan, the Philippines now has the daunting task of finishing among the top three at the 16-nation FIBA-Asia conclave in Tianjin this August to qualify for next year’s World Championships in Turkey but SBP vice chairman and PBA governor Ricky Vargas said yesterday while it won’t be easy, coach Yeng Guiao is on the right track in getting the job done.

Vargas commended the PBA, Guiao, the coaching staff and the players for the masterful showing in Medan where the national team bowled over host Indonesia twice, 103-64 and 98-68, Singapore, 117-69 and Malaysia 100-73 in posting an average winning margin of 38 points.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan congratulated PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and Guiao in a text message for the team’s victory “in a clear and unquestionable way.” He said it was “an excellent vindication for Philippine basketball.”

Vargas said playing in the Jones Cup in Taipei on July 18-26 will get the team even more ready for Tianjin where he expects rough sailing with news of Lebanon recruiting five US NCAA veterans, including 6-10 Jackson Vroman of Iowa State, China signing up former Australian national coach Brian Goorjian as Guo Shi Qing’s assistant, Iran returning 7-2 Memphis Grizzlies center and Beijing Olympic leading rebounder Hamed Haddadi under new Serbian coach Veselin Matic and Jordan bringing in eight US NCAA players, including 6-4 Raheim Wright of District of Columbia.

“This is for the country and we’re in it together,” said Vargas. “The SBP is supporting coach Yeng all the way and if he’d like to tap Rajko (Toroman) for scouting, we’ll make sure he’s available.”

Toroman, 54, piloted Iran to the last FIBA-Asia title in Tokushima two years ago and earned for the team a ticket to the Beijing Olympics. The Serbian was signed up to coach the Smart-Gilas developmental national team last year.

Toroman was in Cebu yesterday to evaluate 6-9, 19-year-old Junmar Fajardo who is playing for the CESAFI selection in a mini-tournament with Ateneo, the Pampanga Buddies and a local commercial club. Fajardo was matched up against Rabeh Al-Hussaini last night.

Asked if he could scout for Guiao, Toroman said he’s ready to do what he can.

“I’ve seen many of the teams in FIBA-Asia play and if coach Yeng wants, I could be one of his scouts,” said Toroman when contacted in Cebu. “My commitment is to the Philippines, SBP and Mr. Pangilinan and in any way I can help to promote Philippine basketball, I’m prepared to do it. I respect coach Yeng and his staff highly. It would be an honor to work behind the scenes and give coach Yeng and his staff my inputs.”

Toroman said in Tainjin, if China and Iran are a cut above the rest, there will be a mad scramble for the last qualifying slot for Turkey. He mentioned at least seven contenders will be in the running for a ticket to the World Championships, including Lebanon, Qatar, Jordan, Korea and the Philippines.

“Playing in Medan was a perfect preparation for the Jones Cup and FIBA-Asia as a confidence builder,” said Toroman. “It gave coach Yeng an opportunity to evaluate his players even if he was down to 10 healthy bodies and to familiarize with conditions in the international game, like officiating and playing every day.”

Toroman said the Jones Cup will be a big test for the national team with the FIBA-Asia Championships the final exam.

“Scouting is an important part of the preparations for Tianjin,” added Toroman. “If coach Yeng wants, I would be very willing to share whatever I know about the players and patterns of teams like Iran, Lebanon, Japan and Jordan.”

Toroman said the recent signing of Vroman by Lebanon was a coup. The rumor is Vroman was offered a three-month contract worth $750,000 to $900,000 with an extension bonus if Lebanon advances to the World Championships. Vroman was made a naturalized Lebanese to play for the national team and the process reportedly took only a week. It was Vroman, playing for Iran, who torched Smart-Gilas for 42 points at the recent FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Jakarta.

Lebanon, coached by Serbian Dragan Raca, will train in Belgrade on June 13-24 then play in a mini-tournament with Qatar, Nigeria and Iran in Qatar on July 1-5 before proceeding to the Jones Cup. Lebanon plans to train in Manila on July 27-Aug. 3 then will play in Tianjin on Aug. 6-16.