Iran, China all primed up for Jones Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas II coach Chot Reyes can only envy China and Iran with their competitive edge one month before the fourth FIBA Asia Cup (formerly Stankovic Cup) in Japan.

“Iran tours Turkey, China is in the Olympics and we’re in our second week of practice,” said Reyes.

The Nationals brace for the Asia Cup, set in Tokyo Sept. 14-22, when they play in the Jones Cup in Taipei Aug. 18-24.

The Asia Cup is now one of the important FIBA Asia tournaments with its fourth edition serving as a qualifying event for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship which in turn serves as the regional elimination for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

The Chinese should be in tip-top shape for the Tokyo joust coming from their London Olympics stints.

For their own Asia Cup preparation, the Iranians play Germany, Finland and Turkey in a four-nation meet in Istanbul before proceeding to Taipei for the Jones Cup.

The Germans, the Finns and the Turks use the Istanbul event as part of their own buildup for the coming 2013 Eurobasket qualifiers.

The Philippines is bracketed with China, Lebanon, Uzbekistan and Macau in Group A while Iran, Chinese Taipei, Qatar, Japan and India are in Group B in the Asia Cup.

Prior to the Asia Cup, the Filipinos, the Lebanese, the Iranians, the Japanese and the Taiwanese size each other up in the Jones Cup.

Also entered in the annual Taipei invitational are Jordan, a Korean club team, Chinese Taipei Team B and a US squad.

The Smart Gilas II lineup for the Jones Cup includes Marcus Douthit, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier, Sonny Thoss, LA Tenorio, Mac Baracael, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Rico Villanueva, Gary David, Sol Mercado, JayR Reyes, Fil-Am player Matt Rosser and N-LEX gunner Garvo Lanete.

Taking rest for the next tourneys are Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes, Jason Castro and Jayvee Casio.

Meanwhile, Sean Chambers is back in the country, tapped as skills coach for the Alaska Milk Aces.

Chambers hold a special training for the Aces in the next two weeks.