Ex-Gilas import in Saudi team

source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph

Smart-Gilas Pilipinas Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman knows a few things about Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, the first opponent of the national team in the 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup beginning May 28 at the Philsports Arena.

According to Toroman, Al Ittihad will be reinforced by former Smart-Gilas import CJ Giles while their coach, Nenad Krdjic, is also a Serbian and a former assistant when he was still coaching a club team in his country in the late '90s.

However, though Toroman knows little about Al Ittihad, he said that this team is a tough opponent considering its recent success in a tournament in the Middle East.

“They had good result in the gulf, so I’m sure they will be dangerous opponent,” said Toroman. “I know they will come prepared for this tournament, they acquired Giles and another American import.”

Last year in the Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar, the 6-foot-10 Giles, who suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, played for Lebanon. His contract with the team wasn’t renewed, reason why he transferred to Al Ittihad.

He was the first import of Smart-Gilas, but things did not materialized when he was released by management.

Smart-Gilas and Al Ittihad are in Group A together with the Malaysia KL Dragons, Iraq’s Duhok and Jordan (ASU), while in Group B are three-time defending champion I.R. Iran-Mahram, Lebanon-Al Riyadi, Qatar-Al Rayyan, Syria-Al Jala'a and UAE-Al Shabab.

The Philippines will play Malaysia on May 29, then the Nationals will have rest the following day. They will resume their campaign on May 31 against Iraq and face Jordan on June 1.

“I still have to see the lineup of Jordan. But if they’ll bring the members of their national team, they will be strong,” Toroman said.

The top four teams from each group will move to the crossover knockout quarterfinal round, and Toroman said that it’s important for them to finish No. 1 in Group A to face No. 4 team from Group B, either Syria or Qatar.

“Our goal of course is to make it to the Finals. Our group is a little easy compared to the other group, but in the quarterfinals, it will be tough from there. So we’ll see. The team is confident to make the Finals,” Toroman said.


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tags: Smart Gilas, Smart Gilas FIBA ASIA