MANILA, Philippines - The core of the Jones Cup champion team with the addition of Talk n Text utility player Jarred Dillinger will banner the Smart Gilas roster in the fourth FIBA Asia Cup slated Sept. 14-26 in Tokyo, Japan.
“It’s basically the same as the Jones Cup team except that this team has greater commitment to taller guards in Matt Ganuelas and Dillinger,” said coach Chot Reyes.
LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Sonny Thoss, JR Reyes, Marcus Douthit, Gary David and Rico Villanueva are the other holdovers from the Jones Cup.
Kelly Williams, Jason Castro and Ryan Reyes are out on account of injuries while Sol Mercado will be left behind because of paper problems.
“The three guys are still recuperating and we don’t want to push them. As for Sol (Mercado), we don’t know why FIBA Asia is not recognizing his (2010 Guangzhou) Asian Games participation,” said Reyes.
Others who will not be utilized in the Japan joust are Jimmy Alapag, Jayvee Casio and Mac Baracael.
“Jimmy is like Asi Taulava. He’s a resident member of the pool. He’s always ready when we need him. He’s on-call,” said Reyes.
The veteran, multi-titled mentor said he would take a look at his team playing with tall guards in Norwood, Ganuelas and Dillinger.
Like the Jones Cup, Reyes said the Asia Cup would be a learning process for his team.
“We’ll get to face new teams in China and Qatar. And unlike the one-round-robin play in the Jones Cup, we’ll experience playoffs where one miss, you die. We hope to learn,” said Reyes.
“We hope to make the top three to go home with a medal,” Reyes added.
A tough field including China, Iran, Qatar, Lebanon, Japan and Chinese Taipei awaits Smart Gilas in the Asia Cup which serves as a qualifier for the 2013 FIBA Asia championship.
The Philippines is bracketed with China, Lebanon, Macau and Uzbekistan while Iran, Chinese Taipei, Qatar, Japan and India are bunched in the other group.
The top four from each group advance to the knockout stage in this tourney ruled by Lebanon in its home turf in Beirut in 2010.
Smart Gilas placed fourth in that tourney behind Lebanon, runner-up Japan and third-placer Qatar.
The Philippines was dead last in the inaugural Asia Cup in 2004 and skipped the second edition held in 2008.