(Gilas Pilipinas) Nationals eyeing training in Europe

source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph

A series of tune-up games in Europe is in the works for the Philippine national basketball team as part of its preparations for the Fiba-Asia Men’s Championship in Wuhan in September.

Smart Gilas-Pilipinas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said the team received an invitation to play in a mini tournament at the end of July in Portugal.

The Portugal coach [Mario Palma] knows us. He knows how competitive Smart Gilas is,” said Toroman, referring to Palma who used to handle the Jordan national team before transferring to Portugal early this year.

“We might play against the national team of Iran, Lebanon, Canada and of course Portugal, so that will be a tough tournament for us,” the Serbian mentor added.

Toroman is hoping the four Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players he named to the squad will be able to join the Portugal joust because this will be a big test for them.

The four are Talk ’N Text’s Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag, Meralco’s Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros of Air21.

After playing in Portugal, Toroman is also hoping the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas would allow them to stay longer in Europe, with possible stops in Turkey and his hometown Serbia.

“I’m attached with some people in Fiba who can help us for some tournaments we need for the Fiba-Asia Championship,” he said.

Smart Gilas is also set to play in the annual William R. Jones Cup basketball tournament in Taiwan in early August.

After their stint in the Commissioner’s Cup, Toroman will give the players the needed break before resuming preparations for the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup which the country is hosting from May 28 to June 5 at the PhilSports Arena.

Taulava and possibly Hontiveros will join the Smart Gilas five to compete against the best club teams in Asia, according to Toroman.

The Philippines is bracketed with Malaysia, Japan, Jordan and a representative from Middle Asia in Group A, while Group B is composed of Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.

These tournaments will help us prepare for the Fiba-Asia Championship. And I think we can form a competitive team in that tournament,” said Toroman.



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tags: Podcast, Smart Gilas, Smartgilas, Basketball,PBA, Fiba-Asia Championship, Smart Gilas result, Standing, PBA

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