MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have its hands full in the 20th FIBA-Asia Champions Cup slated May 12-20 in Jakarta, Indonesia as it drew the toughest teams in the fold in Group A, including Iran, Korea and Lebanon.
With the tall Kuwait side also in its group, Team RP would need a lot of motivation and inspiration to overcome the odds and contend for the championship.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala yesterday said the Iranians, Koreans and Lebanese will field in their respective national teams backstopped by two imports, giving the Filipinos a real big test in the week-long tournament.
Iran, the same team RP team’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman steered to the 2007 FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan and into the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will be represented by Mahram, while Sangmoo will banner South Korea and Al Riyadi and Qadsia to lead Lebanon and Kuwait, respectively.
Group B is composed of Al Arabi Qatar, AL Wasil United Arab Emirates, Zain Jordan, Young Cagers India and Satria Muda Indonesia.
Eala said going up against strong teams in the tough group will greatly help the Smart-sponsored squad in its buildup for the qualifier in the 2012 London Olympics.
“But we are preparing very hard for them,” said Eala. “While we will be going all out to try and win the title, we are also realistic and focused in our goals that this tournament is part of our building year.”
Heading Team RP are co-skippers Chris Tiu of Ateneo and Mark Barroca of Far Eastern U.
To bolster its roster, Team RP recently tapped former Los Angeles Lakers draftee CJ Giles, who is expected to help deliver the goods in the event serving as qualifier for the FIBA Championship.
The 6-11, 23-year-old Giles last saw action with Sioux Falls in the D-League.
Eala said Giles has the size, strength and talent the team needs at this stage of their campaign.
Giles normed 6.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and two shot blocks during his stint with Kansas University and Oregon State from 2004-2007.