RP team eyes PBA, PBL tournaments

MANILA, Philippines - The Smart Gilas Pilipinas team is eyeing a stint in the PBA and the PBL as part of its buildup for a crack at a spot in the 2012 London Olympics.

“We will ask them to allow us to play as a guest team because we feel playing there would toughen up the team,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala.

Eala said he is planning to talk to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios about the plan while PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad seemed to be open to the idea.

“Any tournament that could help the Smart Gilas Pilipinas team, we’ll join,” said Eala.

The team is composed of 14 of the top young stars in the country today headed by team captain Chris Tiu and co-skipper Mark Barroca.

The other team members are Fil-Am Greg Slaughter, Dylan Ababou, JV Casio, Ryan Buenafe, JR Cawaling, Aldrech Ramos, Mac Baracael, Ford Arao, RJ Jazul, Rey Guevarra, Jason Ballesteros and Magi King Sison.

UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo and Paul Lee of University of the East are expected to join the team after the UAAP season.

Cebu sensation Junimar Fajardo and US-based Japeth Aguilar, playing for NCAA Division I school Western Kentucky U, and Giancarlo Chiu are also being eyed to backstop the squad.

Rajko Toroman, who steered Iran to the FIBA-Asia Championship crown in Tokushima, Japan two years ago for a berth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said his wards will need experience to achieve success.

The Nationals are scheduled to fly to Serbia on Friday and the United States on April 19 for training.

While in the US, the SBP will hold a camp on May 2-3 in Las Vegas, Nevada where it hopes to draw some Filipino-foreign players who could beef up the team, including the 6-foot-10 Chris Taft.

A former Golden State Warrior, the 24-year-old Taft is expected to join the two trips.

He will also be RP team’s reinforcement in the import-laced FIBA-Asia Champions Cup set May 12-20 in Jakarta, Indonesia. – Joey Villar