MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have an easy first round assignment after it drew lowly Saudi Arabia in the men’s basketball competition of the 16th Asian Games slated Nov. 12-27 in Guangzhou, China.
The Nationals though would have to beat the Saudis in the one-game preliminary match for them to advance to the second round where they would be bracketed with powerhouse Iran, Qatar, Japan, Chinese Taipei and the winner of the Afghanistan-India duel.
“It’s an interesting draw but we couldn’t take Saudi Arabia for granted,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim.
For Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, the real battle will come in the second round since they would need to finish at least in the top four in their six-team group to advance to the quarterfinals.
“It’s going to be real tough but we will prepare hard for them all,” said Toroman, who is tasked to steer the Filipinos to a spot in the 2012 London Olympics. “But we need to beat Saudi Arabia first, of course.”
Smart Gilas hasn’t faced the Saudi national squad on its two-year developmental program although the country had a glimpse of what to expect after the Filipinos defeated a Saudi Arabian club team in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup held in Doha, Qatar four months ago.
Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s entry in the Champions Cup, had a core composed mostly of national team players.
Reinforced by three PBA players – Sol Mercado, Asi Taulava and Kelly Williams – Smart Gilas will bring a talented field led by team captain Chris Tiu, co-captain Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Mac Baracael, Greg Slaughter and Dylan Ababou.
Jason Ballesteros, Aldrech Ramos and Fil-fors Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz complete the lineup.