MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will continue its chase not just of an Olympic berth in London next year but also of a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Championship.
Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan recently told the Nationals that the stakeholders funding the team have agreed to extend the program for a couple of more years.
“We were told Smart Gilas will be extended for another two years without specific details,” said Lim.
The lack of details means Serbian coach Rajko Toroman’s future with the Nationals is uncertain although his stay could hinge on how they will fare in the FIBA Asia Championship slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China where the winner represents the region in London.
It could also mean that there would be changes in the composition of the team since its current members aren’t barred from applying for the coming PBA rookie draft.
“It would be good for Philippine basketball because the program is already in place. It is a shame if it would be put to waste,” said Toroman, whose team is currently in Chinese Taipei seeing action in the Jones Cup that started yesterday.
Toroman explained there are more talented players available now including naturalized 6-10 center Marcus Douthit and some PBA reinforcements.
“The team could be formed with the combination of old Smart Gilas players and some new ones from the collegiate level plus Marcus (Douthit) and some PBA players,” said Toroman.
“I’m really happy for Smart Gilas because I know we have the potential to make it big, with or without me,” he added.
The door to the FIBA World is a bit wider for Asian teams. The 2013 FIBA Asia Championship stakes three spots to that elite tournament.
“In Wuhan, Asia is given just one berth to the Olympics but in 2013, three slots will be given to Asia so we have a stronger chance to make a good run at it,” said Toroman.
Douthit, a naturalized player who has given Smart Gilas some inside lift, is expected to be at the forefront of the Nationals’ FIBA Worlds campaign as the 6-10 big man is expected to provide the muscle and heft the Phl traditionally lacks.
Smart Gilas is also expected to re-absorb seven-footer Greg Slaughter and 6-6 Aldrech Ramos, who are currently playing for Ateneo and Far Eastern U, respectively, in the ongoing UAAP cage wars.
There are other talented young collegiate players like Bobby Ray Parks of National U and Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo.
Of course, there are the pros.
“It’s a big talented pool of players to choose from so the future looks bright for Smart Gilas,” said Toroman.