OFWs big boost to Gilas vs Qatar

DOHA, Qatar — Smart Gilas hopes to feed on the enthusiasm of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) expected to come in throng when the Nationals take on host Al Rayyan of Qatar at the start of the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup tomorrow at the Al-Gharafa Stadium here.

“We have a big crowd here in Doha and we will rely on their support,” said RP’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman after he and the Nationals arrived in this oil-rich Arab country.

Over two million OFWs are stationed in the Middle East and close to 200,000 are based in Qatar.

The Filipinos drew inspiration from the OFWs in nearby United Arab Emirates where they finished third in the import-laced Dubai Invitational.

Toroman knows the crowd will be a factor in their title quest.

“Just like in Dubai, the gym here will be full of Filipinos and it’s the kind of support that inspires and makes us play much better and an intensity higher,” he said.

But that appears to be the only edge the Filipinos would enjoy when they face the taller Qatari side boasting of American imports since they would only play with just one reinforcement in 6-10 Milan Vucicevic.

Qatar will parade seven-footer Michael Fey and NBDL guard Craig Windler and several other tall naturalized Africans.

Windler piled up respectable numbers with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers where he averaged 16 points, 5.4 rebounds and two assists.

Smart Gilas, meanwhile, hopes to draw a solid game from Fil-Am Chris Lutz, a former Marshall U standout who will take the spot of injured JV Casio (torn MCL) and Marcio Lassirter (left knee) at the backcourt.

Despite the odds, however, Toroman believes his wards could surpass their fifth place in last year’s edition in Indonesia.

“The field is a lot tougher this year but we will give our best to improve on our performance in Jakarta last year,” he said.

Reigning champion Mahram of Iran will be led by 6-10 Jackson Vroman, loaned from Lebanon where he is a naturalized player, for the second straight year and fellow NBA veteran Loren Woods.

CJ Giles, the former Smart Gilas import, who owns an impressive vertical leap, and former San Miguel import Nate Johnson will banner Al Riyadi of Lebanon, which topped the Arab Club Championships and finished second in the Dubai tournament ruled by Mahram.