Asi, Dondon join Gilas in Jones Cup

Manila, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have Asi Taulava of Meralco and Dondon Hontiveros of Air21 back in time for the 2011 William Jones Cup slated Aug. 6-14 at the Sinjhuang Stadium in Chinese Taipei.

Taulava and Hontiveros rejoined the Nationals after their respective PBA clubs bowed out of the six-team semifinals of the PBA Governors Cup that ensured they will have a 12-man roster in the nine-day event serving as one of their tune-up events before plunging into action in the FIBA-Asia Championship set Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China.

“Yes they would be joining the team,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman referring to Taulava and Hontiveros, who were vital parts of the team that finished in the semis of the strong, import-laden 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Pasig City last month.

The Filipinos drew Asian powerhouse Jordan as its first game on Aug. 6 and United Arab Emirates on the next day before taking a one-day respite in this nine-team tournament which gives the title to the team emerging with the best win-loss record after the single-round robin format elimination round.

After the break, Smart Gilas will play seven straight games against South Korea on Aug. 9, South Africa on Aug. 10, Japan on Aug. 11, Malaysia on Aug. 12, host Chinese Taipei on Aug. 13 and finally two-team Asian champion Iran, which is seeking a three-peat feat in this annual joust, on Aug. 14.

“I saw the schedule, which is not important for the moment for us because our goal is just play there the best we can and get more experience there,” said Toroman. “Jordan will be a big test for us for sure as well as other national teams in the tournament.”

Smart Gilas will also have Ranidel de Ocampo of Talk N’ Text, who was recently allowed by Tropang Texters coach and Nationals consultant Chot Reyes to join the squad seeking no less than a berth to the 2012 London Olympics with a victory in the Wuhan joust.

De Ocampo though will get to play for Smart Gilas in its tune-up game against a stellar NBA cast headed by five-time champion Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets on July 24 at the Big Dome and in Wuhan and not in the Jones Cup because his mother club is still contending for a PBA Grand Slam.

The same goes with Talk N’ Text teammates Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag.

“Coach Rajko (Toroman) has expressed interest in the services of Ranidel and he will have his first official tryout during the game between the NBA stars versus Smart Gilas,” said Reyes. 

The Jones Cup-bound team will also be composed of naturalized Marcus Douthit, captain Chris Tiu, co-skipper Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Mac Baracael, Japeth Aguilar, Dylan Ababou, Jason Ballesteros, Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter, who is back with the team after resting his ailing back.