NBA star makes Iranians tougher vs Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have a glimpse of what 7-2 Hamed Haddadi is really made of as the Memphis Grizzlies center is reportedly playing for Iran in the William Jones Cup set Aug. 6-14 in Chinese Taipei.

“Yes he is playing in the Jones Cup, we’ll have a chance to play against him,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman referring to Haddadi.

The Filipinos are playing Haddadi and the Iranians, the two-time Asian champions, in the nine-day joust, which is serving as a run-up to the FIBA-Asia Championship slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China, in their final game on Aug. 14.

Smart Gilas drew Asian powerhouse Jordan in its first game on Aug. 6 and United Arab Emirates the next day before taking a one-day break in this meet, which gives the title to the team emerging with the best win-loss record after the single-round robin format.

After the break, Smart Gilas will play seven straight games against South Korea on Aug. 9, South Africa on Aug. 10, Japan Aug. 11, Malaysia Aug. 12, host Chinese Taipei Aug. 13 before capping its campaign with its much-awaited showdown with two-time Asian champion Iran on Aug. 14.

With the current NBA lockout, Haddadi could also play in Wuhan making Iran as one of the teams to beat to clinch the title and the lone berth as the region’s representative in the 2012 London Olympics.

“He will play there too,” said Toroman.

Meanwhile, Fadi El Khatib is reportedly not playing for Lebanon in Wuhan after recently retiring from national team duties.

The Lebanese barged straight into Wuhan after ruling the 3rd FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup on their home turf last year and should be one of the countries with legitimate chance of winning the Wuhan tilt.

Smart Gilas will be bannered by naturalized Marcus Douthit and professionals Asi Taulava of Meralco and Dondon Hontiveros of Air21.

Talk N’ Text’s Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag are also part of the Nationals but will join the squad only after the ongoing PBA Governors Cup probably late in August or a month before Wuhan.