Two familiar faces will be aching to face Smart Gilas Pilipinas when the RP National team takes on Lebanon in the tough 21st Dubai Invitational Tournament next year.
CJ Giles and Nate Johnson will beef up Lebanon’s Club team Al Riyadi when they clash with Gilas in the seven-nation tournament.
Giles is looking for some payback after being dropped out of the RP national developmental team’s line-up for his erring behavior.
The 6-foot-11 Giles, who was dumped by Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, inked a multi-million deal with Al Riyadi, which has dominated Lebanese basketball by winning 19 championships in the tough professional league.
Johnson is a former San Miguel import in the PBA where he led the Beermen to the 2001 Commissioners Cup finals, but lost to the Red Bull Thunder (Barako Bull Energy Boosters) bannered by former NBA stalwart Tony Lang in six games.
Giles’ replacement, Jamal Sampson, had a brief stint with the Gilas team playing as guest squad in the PBA. He was unimpressive and visibly out of shape.
But Serbian coach Rajko Toroman quickly came to the aid of his new import, explaining why he’s not in tip-top condition. “He has never played actively for 10 months. But I believe he would be a perfect fit for the squad as he complements the local players very well."
"CJ (Giles) is more athletic, but Sampson plays tougher and is a better defender. But he needs 10 to 15 games to get himself in shape."
Toroman added that Sampson, nephew of former Houston Rockets superstar Ralph Sampson in the National Basketball Association, is scheduled to arrive in the country on Jan. 4 before they leave for Qatar.
The highly-celebrated Smart-Gilas mentor welcomes the big challenge going up against some of the best players in the Asian region.
"This is definitely a very strong tournament," said Toroman, referring to the Dubai International tournament set Jan.14-23. “It will be a good opportunity for us since we really need tougher games in preparation for major international events, including the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship."
The 2011 FIBA Asia Championship is an event which is seriously being considered by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) of hosting in order to launch their strong intentions of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.
Before plunging to action in the Dubai League, Toroman said his team is scheduled to play the Qatar national team to be followed by another tune up game against the Kuwait national team.
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