Smart Gilas braces for Dubai jaunt

MANILA, Philippines - The Smart Gilas Pilipinas is scheduled to play in several tournaments and exhibition games in the Middle East starting January as part of its build-up for the 2012 London Olympics qualifiers.

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has accepted the invitation of the UAE basketball federation to play in the 21st Dubai International basketball tournament slated Jan. 14-23 next year,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala.

He added the 10-day meet will be a big test for the Nationals with the event featuring top caliber and tall teams from the Middle East.

“Among the teams that will compete are Zain and ASU Sports Club of Jordan, Al Jalaa Aleppo and Al Ittihad Aleppo of Syria, Champville and Riyadi of Lebanon, Al Ittihad Alexandria of Egypt and the national and club teams of host United Arab Emirates,” said Eala.

Before the Dubai joust, Smart Gilas will be playing the Qatari national squad in a pair of tune-up matches in Doha, Qatar from Jan. 8-9 then will proceed the next day to Kuwait for another friendly game with the Kuwaitis on Jan. 11.

“It is an honor for us to be invited to one of the most important championships in the Middle East under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai,” said Eala.

“This actually commences the aggressive build up of Smart Gilas Pilipinas as we prepare for our first milestone date of the Asian Games.

“We are thrilled to also have the opportunity to play before our overseas countrymen and meet with our colleagues with the basketball federations of Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE,” he said.

Smart Gilas is also expected to compete in other top-level tournaments like the 2010 FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Qatar, the 2010 Stankovic Cup either in Iran or Lebanon and the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Smart Gilas is also scheduled to go to Serbia and the United States again to train and play several club teams there.

The SBP will be backstopped by American Jamal Sampson, who was recently tapped to be Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ player-candidate for naturalization as a replacement to CJ Giles.

The 6-11, 26-year-old Sampson, who played for five NBA teams, is expected to provide the much-needed inside strength for the Nationals, especially on defense.