Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said Smart Gilas should now test its mettle against the Chinese and the Koreans to get a clear picture of the opposition in the Asian Games in November.
“At this point, it’s time for us to play against China and Korea, and probably Kazakhstan, because its important for our boys to take a mental note of these teams,” said Eala.
Smart Gilas held its own against the tough Middle East competition when it faced Lebanon, Jordan and Iran in the Fiba Champions Cup in Jakarta last year and the 21st Dubai International Tournament last month.
Teams in the Dubai tournament, where Smart Gilas copped the bronze medal at the expense of Syria’s Al Jalaa, were represented by national players with three imports.
“These teams are getting older and weaker going into the Fiba (Asia) Championships while we are getting stronger and stronger every day,” said Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.
Smart Gilas is preparing for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on Nov. 12 to 27 and the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship, which offers a single ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.
But Toroman said it’s not easy to arrange a date with the Chinese national squad even in an exhibition game.
“Based on my experience, the only time you get to play China is during the Fiba (Asia) Championships,” said Toroman, who steered Iran to the 2007 Fiba Asia crown on the way to its first Olympic stint in Beijing in 2008.
As for the core of the Korean and Kazakhstan national teams, Toroman said these countries usually join the annual Jones Cup in Taipei where Smart Gilas is also set to compete.
Source: June Navarro | Philippine Daily Inquirer
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