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Smart Gilas goes to lighter bracket (FIBA Asia Champions Cup)

source: Abac Cordero | philstar.com

Given the right to choose, Smart Gilas Pilipinas head coach Rajko Toroman naturally went for the lighter group in the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup.



It’s not so strong that’s why I chose that group,” he said during yesterday’s draw for the tournament set May 25- June 5 at the Philsports Arena.

As host, the Philippines had the right to pick its group. Toroman was given three minutes to decide but needed just a few seconds to make his choice.

Toroman went for Group A where the Philippines will contend with Jordan, Malaysia, Japan and the Middle Asia representative – either Kazahkstan or Afghanistan.

Landing in Group B were the powerhouse teams, including defending champion Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.

All the best teams in this competition are in Group B,” said Toroman after the draw witnessed by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chief Manny V. Pangilinan.

As FIBA Asia deputy secretary-general Hagop Khajirian was waiting for Toroman’s decision, Pangilinan broke the silence by saying, “We are choosing Group C.”

It brought some laughter inside the room, at the 42nd floor of the Discovery Suites in Ortigas. Of course, there’s no Group C in this 10-nation tournament.

Toroman said those in Group B will have to bleed to get to the quarterfinals, with Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Qatar fielding their top players plus two imports.

In Group A, maybe we can build our confidence. We will have a tough time in the quarterfinals because any of the teams we will play there will be very strong,” said Toroman.

In our group they don’t have all the national players. It’s not easy but it’s definitely easier than Group B,” said the Serbian coach of Smart Gilas Pilipinas.


The draw was held at 2 p.m. and in just a couple of hours Toroman had to call the shots for the Smart Gilas team that faces crowd favorite Ginebra in the semis of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

He was asked if he would rather have his players slow down a bit, and risk suffering any injury heading to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

“I don’t know what slowing down means. I don’t know how to play slow down. We will still try to win tonight. We will still give it our best,” he assured.

Toroman said it’s very difficult to face Ginebra because of its crowd support, but said he hoped that all these fans will root for them in the Champions Cup.

He described the forthcoming tournament as a “small goal” for the Smart Gilas team, because the bigger goal is to qualify to the 2012 London Olympics, through the FIBA Asia Championship in September.



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