Lim to US to find big man for RP 5

MANILA, Philippines - Newly appointed Smart Gilas Pilipinas team manager Frankie Lim will leave for the United States tomorrow with the task of finding the right player that would address the team’s need for an inside presence.

“I will fly to the US on Monday to find the best big man available that would fit well to Smart Gilas,” said Lim, who was recently appointed by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to manage the national team.

Upon arrival in the US, Lim said he would talk to SBP’s contacts to set up some tryouts and scrimmages before Smart Gilas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman arrives the following week.

“Coach Rajko will join me next week when everything’s already arranged because we want him to personally choose the right man for the job,” said Lim.

SBP executive director Noli Eala earlier said they would drop Jamal Sampson as naturalization candidate after the 6-foot-11 behemoth failed to meet expectations.

Sampson, who replaced RP’s original choice CJ Giles late last year, would have been the player SBP wanted naturalized but he was often injured in Smart Gilas’ Gulf trip.

Sampson was particularly impressive when Smart Gilas split its pair of exhibition games with the Qatar national team in Doha before settling for cameo roles in the import-laden 21st Dubai Invitational where RP finished a strong third.

Lim said he hopes they could find the right player in the 12-day US trip, which might include trips not just to LA but also to some East Coast basketball hotbeds.

If not, Lim said they might just bring in a player or two to the Philippines and let them try out for the position.

“If we can find the player right away, it would be better. If not, maybe we’ll just bring players here to try out. We will do all the things we can to find the right player,” he said.