MANILA, Philippines — For former Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, the Philippines’ current thrust of mixing young guns with the best PBA players is the way to go.
Toroman handled the Smart Gilas 1.0 program in 2010, which pooled the top collegiate stars plus naturalized player Marcus Douthit.
Even then, the national five needed reinforcements from the pro league, and together Toroman’s boys placed a fighting fourth at the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan.
The Serbian sees a similar pattern in present-day Gilas Pilipinas, which fielded a “hybrid” crew when it faced his Indonesian side – and won by 30 – in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last February.
“At this moment, they have to make some young players play some tournament outside, and take some international exposure and experience. But when result is needed, they have the best collegiate players and five or six best players from the PBA,” Toroman said in the Coaches’ Unfiltered podcast.
“I think this mix will be the best thing,” he added.
During his time, Toroman only got PBA reinforcements Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams a week before the competition so jelling, he said, played a factor.
He noted that stronger PBA-SBP ties now make it possible to get the pros on board a lot earlier.
“In this period, it’s easy to make this because the connections between the PBA and SBP is much better than in my time. And I think this is the best way -- to make some younger players exposed, and then they can form the best (hybrid) team possible,” he said.
Toroman expressed awe with the size Gilas has at its disposal now with the likes of June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and eventually Kai Sotto.
This, he noted, is complemented by stronger, athletic guards and wings with young guns like Thirdy Ravena.
“What they have to do to maybe be better (is be) prepared tactically (for) the European teams. Because in Europe, basketball is a little bit different,” he said.
He noted that a great player in the Philippines will be measured by his 35-point, 15-rebound effort in 48 minutes. In the Euroleague, a player with 15 markers or seven boards is considered great.