Smart Gilas five faces tough Lebanon today

JAKARTA – Smart Gilas Pilipinas hopes to come out fresh and strong from a setback and a one-day break as it squares off with unbeaten Al Riyadi of Lebanon today in the 20th FIBA-Asia Champions Cup at the Britama Arena here.

The Nationals blew an 11-point first half lead due to foul trouble and ended up dropping an 87-98 loss to the taller, more experienced Iranian side Wednesday to even their card to 1-1.

Despite the setback, RP’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said he was proud of the RP cagers as they showed they could compete with the best despite their lack in ceiling and size.

Smart Gilas repulsed Sangmoo of Korea, 90-76, in the opener of the nine-day, import-laced tournament Tuesday.

“We put them in a lot of problems, that’s the biggest result. I’m proud of my players, they gave their best against this team that is better than its national team because they have two NBA players with lots of experience,” said Toroman.

“If we can keep this momentum, we’ll have a great chance to reach the semifinals,” he said.

Against the Lebanese, however, the Filipinos will be facing a team which dominated Qadsia of Kuwait, 87-78, and Sangmoo of Korea, 97-86, to remain on top of Group A.

But Al Riyadi’s skipper Fadi El-Khatib remains a doubtful starter after the 30-year-old playmaker suffered back spasms in the first quarter of their game against the Koreans.

Still, Lebanon remains as formidable as ever with import Nate Johnson, who helped San Miguel win a PBA title five years ago, and seven-footer Christien Jermaine Charles backstopping the squad.

Meanwhile, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan and Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping arrived here yesterday to cheer for the Nationals, who will play the Kuwaitis tomorrow.

Pangilinan and Angping were accompanied by SBP vice chair Ricky Vargas, Smart Sports chief Patrick Gregorio and Talk n Text and former RP team coach Chot Reyes.

The Nationals had a light practice in their rest day because of the poor conditions in the training venue.

“We had light practice because the conditions of the gym are terrible,” rued Toroman.

CJ Giles is again expected to lead Smart Gilas bid along with Chris Tiu and Mark Barroca.