Serbian sees tough grind in Fiba Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Serbian Milan Vucicevic hopes to recover fast from a month-long layoff and lives up to expectations as he backstops Smart Gilas in the FIBA-Asia Champions slated May 22-30 in Doha, Qatar.

The 6-10 Vucicevic arrived Thursday and made quite an impression with coach Rajko Toroman during a light workout yesterday.

“He has a good post up move. But we can’t really tell,” said Toroman. “He has to know the system, he has to fit in to the system. We have two weeks left (before FIBA-Asia).”

In need of an import following its failure to tap at least four previous prospects, Smart Gilas went for Vucicevic as the team braces for the Fiba-Asia tournament.

“I hope I’ll be in a situation to give my best because I was off the court for one month,” said Vucicevic, who sustained an Achilles tendon injury after playing in Qatar (Emir Cup).

Vucicevic, who had played in Europe (Greece, Ukraine, Poland and Cyprus) before campaigning in Asia (Qatar, Iran and Lebanon), is expected to provide muscle and toughness for the team also priming up for the Asian Games and the Olympic qualifier.

“I can play defense, I can play offense. But coach said the team needs toughness so it’s important at the post to play tough,” said Vucicevic.