Depleted Gilas vies in SEABA

MANILA, Philippines - Already without its PBA reinforcements, Smart Gilas Pilipinas will vie in the ninth Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament slated June 23-26 in Jakarta, Indonesia minus four of its mainstays.

Skipper Chris Tiu said they compete in the event without JV Casio and Japeth Aguilar (foot injuries), Fil-Am Chris Lutz (hurting quadriceps) and Dylan Ababou (fever), leaving the team with only six healthy men.

They include naturalized Marcus Douthit, who led the Nationals’ fourth place finish in the recent 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup. He, however, came back only recently after marrying her long-time girlfriend in the US.

“JV and Japeth have foot injuries, Chris Lutz’s quads are hurting while Dylan is coming off sick,” said Tiu. “Marcus has also just returned because he got married in the US.

“Of course, everybody knows our PBA players are not playing so we really have to step up big,” added Tiu.

Meralco’s Asi Taulava, Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros, and Talk n Text’s Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag, whom coach Rajko Toroman tapped to backstop the national team’s campaign, have opted to go back to their mother teams in the ongoing PBA Governors Cup.

Smart Gilas will also miss the services of seven-footer Greg Slaughter and 6-6 Aldrech Ramos, who will be suiting up for reigning champion Ateneo and Far Eastern U, respectively, in the UAAP which starts July 9, leaving the team with Mark Barroca, Marcio Lassiter, Mac Baracael and Jason Ballesteros.

“Despite these factors, I think we’ll be fine and we’re as eager to play and win the gold,” he said.

Smart Gilas will play Malaysia on June 23, Indonesia the next day and Singapore on June 25 with the top two teams disputing the crown on June 26.