Gilas faces acid test vs Asian clubs

Manila, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas faces tough challenge from the region’s best club teams in the 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup, which will test how far the Nationals could go in their campaign for London 2012.

They play the Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia which they demolished, 99-63, in a tune-up a few days ago but the outcome didn’t reflect the kind of opposition awaiting the Nationals in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Smart Gilas will field probably its strongest cast since it was formed three years ago with naturalized player Marcus Douthit and pros Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros providing the height, heft and heart the team needs.

Gametime is at 6 p.m at the Philsports Arena.

Duhok of Iraq and ASU-Jordan kick off the four-game bill at 2 p.m. with Syria-Al Jalaa and two-time defending champion Mahram of Iran colliding at 4 p.m.

Capping the day is the 8 p.m. encounter between Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, a favorite for the crown along with Mahram, and Al Shabab of United Arab Emirates.

“They have good, solid imports,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, referring to Saudi Arabia’s prolific duo of Serbian seven-footer Vadislav Dragasjlovic and Darren Keely.

“But their local players are not that good compared to ours, who I think are more prepared tactically and mentally,” he added.

The tournament serves as part of the Nationals’ buildup for the FIBA-Asia men’s Olympic qualifying tournament in China later this year which stakes a ticket to the London Olympics in 2012.

FIBA-Asia officials led by president Sheikh Saud bin Al Al-Thani and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) counterparts headed by its president Manny V. Pangilinan and executive director Sonny Barrios graced the formal opening ceremony Friday night during the welcome banquet for guests and all participants held at the Meralco multi-purpose hall.

The Nationals, who placed fifth two years ago in Jakarta and wound up seventh in Doha, Qatar last year, also brace for a highly physical game against the Saudis.

“We just need to keep our focus on winning the game, nothing more,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim.

Chris Tiu said it’s going to be a tough battle although they claim they’re all ready and raring to go.

“The team is ready and we will surely leave nothing behind to try to win this tournament,” said Tiu. “It’s going to be a very, very competitive tournament because Iran, Lebanon and Qatar have never fielded teams this strong the past Champions Cup. They’re mostly national team players plus two imports,” he added.

Aside from Douthit, Taulava, Hontiveros and Tiu, the other members of the team are Japeth Aguilar, Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Mac Baracael, seven-footer Greg Slaughter, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros.

Talk N’ Text’s Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams will only join the team either late August or early September in time for the FIBA-Asia Championship.

ASU will boast of former PBA import Jameel Watkins and Ryan Forehan Kelly, KL Dragons Marcus Morrison and Christopher Ayer, Duhok Giles and Chudney Gray and Al Ittihad Dragajlovic and Keely.

In Group B, Al Riyadi will have Ismail Ahmad and Loren Woods, Al Rayyan of Qatar Chauncey Leslie and Kimani Friend, Al Shabab Courtney Fields and Brandon Prump, Mahram Senegalese Chick Samb and Chris Williams and Al Shabab former NBA veteran Samaki Walker and Jamaal Miller.

Al Riyadi is planning to bring in the high-scoring Fady El Khatib, who played for a Champsville team that lost to the former in the Lebanese league, that should make the reigning West Arab League titlist more formidable.