Toroman upbeat on Fiba Asia joust

MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman is confident they will make the 26th Fiba Asia championship knockout stage and then anything can happen there.

“Our goal for the first round is two wins, and I think we can do that. If a third win comes, that’s great,” said Toroman. “In the second round, with two wins, we can be on the second or third place for the quarterfinals.”

Toroman expects Iran, Lebanon, Qatar and Korea to make quarters cast from the other bracket (Groups A and B).

From Groups C and D, four from among the Philippines, China, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan and Syria will advance to the quarters.

The Philippines plays China, Bahrain and UAE in the initial round before clashing with the top three from among Indonesia, Japan, Jordan and Syria.

Toroman insists they can make it past the elims and anything can happen in the knockout stage.

The Serbian mentor, the winning coach (with Iran) in the 2007 Tokushima joust, is happy with what his team is doing in practice.

“So far we’re doing great. The three PBA players, Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo, are adjusting well to the system,” said Toroman.

Williams, Alapag and De Ocampo will play together for the first time with Smart Gilas in a tune-up match with Qatar tonight.

They play two more friendlies on Saturday and Sunday before leaving for Wuhan, China on Monday.

Smart Gilas opens its campaign in this Asian Olympic qualifier Wednesday versus Bahrain.