Smith ready for Gilas practice

MANILA, Philippines - Blackwater import Greg Smith said the other day he’s ready to practice with Gilas if head coach Chot Reyes wants a player to match up with Andray Blatche in preparing for the SEABA Championships here on May 12-18.

Smith, 26, showed up for Gilas practice once on Reyes’ invitation during the pool tryouts at Meralco last April 20. Reyes is open to the idea of Smith’s naturalization to gain eligibility with the national team.

After Blackwater’s game against Mahindra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow, the Elite will take a break and return to action against Barangay Ginebra at the Cuneta Astrodome on May 26. Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy said the 6-8 3/8, 250-pound Smith could join the Gilas practices during the 2 1/2 week break.

Sy, Smith, Blackwater team manager Johnson Martinez and Gilas team manager Butch Antonio met over lunch to discuss the process of naturalization at Chili’s on Tomas Morato Avenue last Thursday. Sy said the talks went smoothly. Antonio will submit the requirements for naturalization to Martinez for Smith to comply with. Sy said he also took up with Antonio the naturalization of long-time Manila resident Kelly Hardeman to gain eligibility with the Perlas national squad. 

The SBP will compile the documents to fast-track the naturalization of both Smith and Hardeman. The goal is to finalize the process in time for Smith and Hardeman to play at the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 19-30. Rep. Chiqui Roa Puno will author the bill at the House of Representatives while Sen. and SBP chairman Sonny Angara will spearhead the naturalization at the Senate.

“We have to work fast,” said Sy. “Both Greg and Kelly are excited to play for the Philippines. We’re hoping the naturalization will be processed as soon as possible with the SEA Games just a few months away.”

Smith’s addition will be timely if his naturalization is approved. Assuming the Philippines wins the SEABA title, Gilas will send two lineups for the FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut on Aug. 10-20 and the SEA Games. Blatche, who is scheduled to arrive from Atlanta via Korea Air tonight, will be the naturalized player for Beirut and Smith for Kuala Lumpur. When the new FIBA qualifying system for the World Cup and the Olympics kicks in starting this November, the SBP will juggle lineups depending on who’s available as there will be conflicts in schedule with the NBA, CBA and PBA.

“We’ve explained to Greg that he could be like a Marcus Douthit who had a long career with Gilas,” said Sy. “We could sign him up for a one-year contract initially then if things work out, we could extend it to three years. Greg has the option of going short-term or long-term. He has met with coach Chot. (SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan) MVP has given his go-signal to initiate talks with Greg.”

Blatche is now 30 and Smith, who is four years younger, could be his back-up on reserve. The SBP is laying the groundwork to qualify for the FIBA World Cup in China in 2019, the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and the 2023 FIBA World Cup which the Philippines is bidding to host with Indonesia and Japan in a multi-nation effort.

Hardeman, 23, was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City and lived here for 18 years before enrolling at Asuza Pacific, a private Christian school in Los Angeles. She arrives here from L. A. on May 23. Hardeman played in the Danish league that ended its season two weeks ago and has an offer to see action in Australia. Her parents and grandparents live in Manila. Her grandfather Tine, 84, has been a Manila resident since 1958, played for 15 years in the MICAA and is a chaplain at Faith Academy in Cainta.

Smith played for Houston, Dallas and Minnesota in five NBA seasons, earning over $3 Million. He’s averaging 26.5 points, 22.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocked shots in 44 minutes with Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. “Greg loves the Philippines and the Filipino people,” said Sy. “Both Greg and Kelly are honored to be able to play for the national team.” Smith is in town with his girlfriend Diva.