DUBAI – Smart Gilas Pilipinas may have seen the last of Jamal Sampson.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said they would re-assess the status of Sampson upon their return to Manila Sunday.
“We will evaluate the status of Sampson,” said Eala, minutes after Smart Gilas endured Sampson’s absence in a heartbreaking 76-79 semifinal loss to reigning titlist Al Riyadi of Lebanon.
“Obviously, I can not say we’re satisfied. Injuries will be his reason. The reliability factor is lost. We’ll see our options. Everything is up in the air,” Eala added.
Sampson was supposed to fill the Nationals’ need for an inside presence but the 6-foot-11 behemoth was hobbled by a leg injury.
Supposedly because of pain, Sampson was a shadow of the man who impressed SBP top officials in tryouts. He was totally outperformed by the high-leaping, more mobile CJ Giles – the player whom he replaced as Smart Gilas’ naturalization prospect.
Sampson missed the games Smart Gilas lost – Al Jalaa in the elimination round and Al Riyadi in the semis. He had cameo appearances in victories over Champville Lebanon, Zain of Jordan, Al Nasr of UAE and Al Jazeera of Egypt.
RP’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said he would make his comments known after this tournament.
“I would not comment until we return to Manila. I will tell everything about Sampson in Manila,” Toroman said. – Joey Villar