Gilas quintet out to make Asiad semis

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas is seeking a semifinal finish in the basketball competition of the 16th Asian Games slated Nov. 12-27 in Guangzhou, China.

“Our hope is to make the semifinals and we’ll see what happens next,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, who was with the Filipino cagers in yesterday’s send-off rites for the Guangzhou-bound Phl team at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Philippine Sports commissioner Chito Loyzaga, member of the team that snared the silver medal in the 1990 Beijing Games, said a semifinal finish is possible for the Nationals.

“We have a strong chance of making the semifinals, I have a good feeling we will,” said Loyzaga.

Co-skippers Chris Tiu and Mark Barroca head the squad that includes JV Casio, Mac Baracael, Greg Slaughter, Dylan Ababou, Jason Ballesteros, Japeth Aguilar, Aldrech Ramos, Fil-Am Marcio Lassiter and PBA cagers Kelly Williams and Asi Taulava.

Fil-Ams Chris Lutz and Sol Mercado, the late additions to the team, hope that their accreditation will be approved by the organizers in Guangzhou during the managers’ meeting on Nov. 8.