THE R.P. NATIONAL TEAM THREAD

[bhrixxe]

Gilas to kick out Sampson from roster?
01/23/2010 | 08:12 PM

Dubai, UAE – After showing its mettle at the 21st Dubai International Basketball Championship against the giants of Middle East and North African basketball, there are indications that Smart Gilas Pilipinas might make some adjustments with its line-up to make the team more competitive.

Gilas’ weakness showed, after the team’s 79-76 loss against Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, that without an intimidating big man the Rajko Toroman-coached squad is defenseless against taller and heftier opponents.

Al Riyadi is a team loaded with American imports with former Gilas prospect CJ Giles and Nate Johnson leading the charge.

Gilas also dropped its first game, 90-76, against Syria’s Al Jalaa.

In both games, 6-foot-11 Jamal Sampson, the team’s replacement for Giles and a former NBA veteran who is being eyed for naturalization, suited up but did not play citing his knee injury as the culprit.

“We don’t have too much inside game. Jason Ballesteros (6-foor-7) and Greg Slaughter (7-foot-1) gave all their best, but fighting against a lot of American imports were too much for them," said Toroman.

Toroman, however, did not make any categorical statement yet if they are planning to find a replacement for Sampson who is still wary about his left knee.

But he indicated that he will have a press conference as soon as they return to Manila to announce any possible changes with Gilas’ line-up. The team is expected to arrive in Manila Sunday afternoon.

As of this posting time, Gilas is battling Syria for third place. Lebanon will face Iran’s Mahram in the championship.

Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala said that he is also dismayed in Sampson’s performance. “Although we are not giving up on him (Sampson) yet, we are not satisfied with his performance."

“We need reliable big men in the inside. We will evaluate Sampson’s performance and since reliability is needed we are open to look for other options, if the need arise," Eala added.

Even migrant Filipinos residing in UAE, who come in droves in every Gilas game, share the same view.

Ramon Pizarras, chairman of Filipino Basketball Center-UAE and the one responsible for bringing Gilas in Dubai, said things could have been different if Sampson played. “His mere presence could have intimated the opposing teams."

Meanwhile, Egyptian coach Ahmed Marri and Lebanese coach Abou Chakra are all praises to the tenacity and team spirit of the Philippine national team.

Both coaches noted that Gilas players are very fast and mobile and with more big guys joining them, the team will be very hard to beat in international competitions. – Angel L. Tesorero, GMANews.TV

[bhrixxe]

Dubai finish augurs well for Gilas 5 Asiad bid
By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star) Updated January 26, 2010 12:00 AM


Asian powerhouse teams China and Iran can be beaten.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ Serbian Rajko Toroman made this assessment yesterday after the Nationals arrived from Dubai where they finished third in the tough 21st Dubai Invitational.

“The teams we played in Dubai are tougher than China. As for Iran, Jackson Vroman, their import in Dubai, will not play for them in the Asian Games,” Toroman said.

Playing practically All-Filipino the whole tournament, the Nationals wound up third by beating some of the region’s powerhouse teams, including World Championship-bound Zain of Jordan.

The Filipinos could have been in the finals but lost steam in the semis against last year’s titlist Al Riyadi of Lebanon, which lost to Iran of Mahram in the finals.

Although China didn’t see action in Dubai and Iran didn’t cross paths with RP, Toroman said the Nationals have the potential to overcome the region’s powerhouse teams.

China will play without the Houston Rockets’ 7-6 center Yao Ming (injured foot) in this year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, making the vaunted squad a little more vulnerable.

Iran, which beat China in the 2009 FIBA-Asia Championship in Tianjin, will play sans Vroman, one of its three American imports in Dubai who will now see action for Lebanon as its naturalized player.

Toroman, however, stressed that Smart Gilas still lacks a big man and a few more shooters before the team can become a legitimate contender.

“This is our problem with one big guy,” said Toroman, already hinting at replacing injury-plagued Jamal Sampson.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala actually stated they would be re-evaluating the status of the 6-11 Sampson, who hardly saw action in Dubai with a sore left knee.

“Definitely we are not happy with the way he (Sampson) has performed, not so much that he does not know how to play but I don’t think he has the same heart and commitment to the team,” said Eala.

[bhrixxe]

Gilas part ways with naturalized prospect Samspon
01/26/2010 | 08:02 PM

Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ quest for a dependable big man continues.

This came after Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, tasked to steer the RP developmental team to the 2012 London Olympics, decided to explore other options in hope of landing the right foreign player to naturalize that will help solve Gilas’ problem in the middle.

Toroman said Gilas needs to search for a new player for naturalization after he gave top candidate Jamaal Sampson a negative assessment following the team’s third place finish in the recent Dubai Invitational Championship.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala, center, answers a reporter's question while Gilas team captain Chris Tiu, left, and coach Rajko Toroman listen during Tuesday's PSA Forum in Manila. Jeff Venancio

Toroman, who helped Iran win the 2007 FIBA-Asia crown to earn a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said Sampson possesses the skills Gilas needs but the 6-foot-11 big man’s attitude is questionable.

"He is good player, he is tall, strong and a good rebounder which is exactly what we need. But the other things are not good," said Toroman, who was joined by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala and team captain Chris Tiu in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum in Manila.

Sampson, who replaced CJ Giles and signed a one-year contract with the team, played limited minutes during the Dubai tournament claiming to be injured.

"He (Sampson) was injured, he is injured and he will always be injured. I have said that a player needs to sacrifice for this team. If you can’t handle the pain or small problem, you cannot contribute and lift the team to the level I want," said Toroman.

"This is a young team that plays with passion and heart and they can’t carry this kind of attitude of Sampson."
The Smart Gilas team celebrates their third place finish in the 21st Dubai International Basketball Tournament. Albert Alba

Tiu said that the team was greatly demoralized in their first game against Syria when Sampson decided against playing. But Gilas bounced back in the tournament by winning four straight games to make it to the semifinals even with little help from Sampson.

The team, playing all-Filipino, eventually got back at opening-game tormentor Syria to claim third place in the tournament that featured squads with at least three American imports.

Eala, who is set to talk with Sampson Wednesday, said that Gilas needs someone who can show the same emotions that other players bring in to the squad.

"This team is an emotional team and thrives on a lot of spirit. Gilas members have been very very close because they practice and travel together most of the time. This is why when somebody comes into the team and is not a positive influence, it becomes also a big factor or obstruction to the locals," said Eala.

Since the search for the right candidate for naturalization resumes and the process may take quite sometime to finish, Gilas might play without an American center in time for the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

SBP hopes to remedy the situation by tapping a PBA player to beef up Gilas with Toroman mentioning Asi Taulava as someone who could have helped the team win the Dubai crown had he suited up with the squad.

But the main focus is to further expose Gilas especially big guys Greg Slaughter, Jason Ballesteros, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Japeth Aguilar to tougher international tournaments to further hone their skills. – GMANews.TV

[bhrixxe]

PBA teams still mum on lending players to Gilas01/28/2010 | 09:59 PM

Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player (MVP) Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia, former rookie of the year Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and ex-national team standout Jared Dillinger of Talk ‘N Text on Smart Gilas team?

Their inclusion remains up for discussion by the PBA board of governors and their respective mother ballclubs.

This was confirmed by PBA vice chairman and Purfoods board governor Rene Pardo to GMANews.TV.

“We haven’t discussed anything yet on the table," Pardo said. “It all depends on the team but it will be a big risk for the team’s because the period of time in between breaks in the PBA is very short and players will be needed right away by their mother teams."

Smart Gilas Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, who steered the RP development national team to a third place finish in the 21st Dubai International basketball tournament, has mulled over the possibility of tapping several pro players in the Olympic-qualifying tournament.

Pardo sees no problem with lending several players from the pro league but expressed apprehensions for their respective mother teams.

“What if the said player got injured? The team that hired them would be on the losing end since they are no longer able to perform," added Pardo.

Of the three players, Dillinger appears as the likely to be given the go signal to play since the Tropang Texters is owned by businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan.

Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu said they would follow whatever the PBA board decides on. “Whatever the PBA tells us, then we will follow." – GMANews.TV

[bhrixxe]

A busy year for Smart Gilas team
1/27/2010 |
source: People's Journal | journal.com.ph


The recent Dubai stint of the RP-Smart Gilas team is just the start of what will be a hectic schedule this year for the Asian Games-bound national squad.

Returning from the oil-rich emirate two days ago where they placed third in the tough 21st Dubai International basketball tournament, the Nationals are going to take just a month’s breather before plunging back into action by March when they travel to Australia to play a series of games with teams from the National Basketball League (NBL).

From Down Under, the Nationals proceed next to Serbia where they are scheduled to play some of the local club teams in an attempt to benchmark the squad’s development exactly a year after traveling to the same European country for a series of tune up games as well.

By April, the team is off to the U.S. in Las Vegas and Canada in Vancouver to play the Canadian national team in a couple of exhibition games, followed by its campaign in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar in May.

The Nationals will be back in Manila on June, where arrangements to play the national teams of Iran, New Zealand and either Korea or Japan will be made, before capping their preparation for the Asiad by participating in the annual Jones Cup in Taipei (July), the Stankovic Cup in Lebanon (August) and back to the U.S to battle a select team from the NCAA.

Come November, the RP team is off for the Asiad in Guangzhou, China.

“This is definitely a hectic year for the Smart-Gilas team. In all, we expect to play around 80 international games,” bared Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala in the PSA Forum Tuesday at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue branch.

“All of these trips are fantastic exposures for our national team.”

Handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman and headed by team captain Chris Tiu, both of whom also appeared in the session presented by Outlast Battery, PAGCOR, Accel and Shakey’s, the RP squad however, would be competing without the benefit of American reinforcement Jamal Sampson, who may be on his way out with the team following a lackluster showing in the Dubai meet.

Toroman himself expressed disappointment with the way the injury-prone American, cousin of former Houston Rockets star Ralph Sampson, played with the team, stressing what the Smart-Gilas squad needs is a “guy who would play with passion, a guy who would play with intensity and someone who wants to play.”

[bhrixxe]

3rd import for Gilas in town
February 4, 2010, 4:53pm

Former Arkansas Razorback player Darian Townes showed what determination and preservation are about as he traveled across the globe in the hope of impressing Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman and be a part of the Smart-Gilas national team.

The 6-foot-11 Townes hopes to secure “import” slot after the Nationals first two American players – CJ Giles and Jamal Sampson – were dropped from the team, one after the other because of poor performance and attitude problem.

With the help of ex-pro Ed Cordero, a try-out was arranged and Townes is set to meet Toroman at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City Thursday night.

Toroman will leave for the United States on Saturday to join Smart-Gilas team manager Frankie Lim to scout the prospect of imports to be included to the national team, which is preparing for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this year and the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship, the qualifying event to the 2012 London Olympics.

Townes, 25, recently played for the Utah Flash in the NBA Developmental League. Though his career averages in the D-League are not as impressive — 5.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 shot blocks — his size can help the national team.

He also played professional basketball with the GasTerra Flames Groningen in Holland. — Waylon Galvez

[bhrixxe]

Gilas eyes NBA vets, ex-import
By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star) Updated February 09, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas is looking at two NBA veterans and a former PBA import as candidates for naturalization and replacement for Jamal Sampson, who failed to meet the team officials’ expectations.

Earl Barron, a member of the 2006 NBA champion Miami Heat who suited up for Red Bull years ago, has been considered for inclusion to beef up the Filipinos’ ambitious Olympic bid.

The seven-foot Barron has averaged an impressive 13.6 points and 8.9 rebounds for the Iowa Energy in the NBA’s developmental league, the NBDL and should be the best bet since he’s only 28 years old.

Smart Gilas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman is also considering the 6-11 Courtney Sims, a 26-year-old forward who normed 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for the University of Michigan Wolverines. He also played for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA two years ago.

Jamee Watkins, who suited up for Shell, has also been included in the short list of candidates.

Watkins churned out norms of 15.9 points, 10.1 caroms and 2.7 blocks in the current Chinese Basketball League season with the Jiangsu Dragons. But at 32, he could be too old for Smart Gilas, which is composed of the country’s top collegiate players.

Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim is currently in the US trying to arrange workout sessions with these three players with Toroman, who is expected to join Lim anytime this week.

The team has also tried out 6-10 Darian Townes.

Toroman, who steered Smart Gilas to a third place finish in the import-laden 21st Dubai Invitational despite playing practically all Filipino, said he is still weighing his options with regard to the selection of a naturalized import.

“I will look at all these players and see some more before we make a decision,” said Toroman.

[Uzumaki_Naruto]

^ I believe we need to recruit a better import than former PBA IMPORTS... how about the european league... is there any big men there?? hindi naman kelangan puro american ang import natin for naturalization diba?

[bhrixxe]

Smart Gilas Pilipinas Year One: The Thousand Mile Journey
by Rick Olivares | bleachersbrew.blogspot.com

Inside the dugout of the Smart Gilas Men’s National Basketball Team at the Al Ahli Club in Dubai, the atmosphere was festive as the team celebrated their third place finish in the 21st Dubai International Tournament.

The Nationals beat the import-laden Al Jalaa Syria 107-98 to repay them for their opening day loss that touched off an incredible comeback that saw them come within four points of making the finals.

Head Coach Rajko Toroman was being interviewed outside the dugout when Demetric Shaw, one of Al Jalaa’s American imports, came over. Seconds later, Toroman ushered Shaw inside and the room quickly fell silent.

“We were stunned. We didn’t know why Shaw was inside. I thought maybe he was looking for a fight.” wondered team captain Chris Tiu. In the battle for third place, the Filipinos frustrated Shaw with their tough play.

“Tell them what you told me,” said a beaming Toroman.

Shaw, the muscular 6’3” guard out of Kent State University who once scored a FIBA record of 74 points for Halcones in the Mexican League said, “From the beginning of the tournament, you are the only team that played with great pride for your country, incredible passion as a team, and the determination to be better. It was an honor to play against you.”

The room exploded with thunderous applause.

“It was the easiest comment to make.” explained Shaw a few weeks after the tournament. “When I played against them, I felt proud of how they honored themselves and their country with a never-say-die attitude. Mahram was a team of superstars but it was great to see an undersized Philippine team fight with everything they had. And I thank them for reminding me why I started playing in the first place.”

Toroman’s face lit up with elation. After months of hardship, struggle, controversy, and infighting, the third place finish was a clear vindication of the path he and his boys had taken.

It had been 13 months since Gilas’ initial foray into international competition. Year One began with a win and now they closed it out in familiar fashion.

It was the only time in their two weeks abroad that Toroman managed a smile. He exhaled and rejoined the party inside the locker room....

[bhrixxe]

Smart Gilas: No import for Aussie tour
Quinito Henson
philstar.com

It’s not likely that the Smart-Gilas national basketball squad will play in Australia with a naturalization candidate. That’s the word from team manager Frankie Lim who said the other day he’s still negotiating to sign up either Dwayne Jones or Brian Butch as Gilas’ “import.”

“I’m still trying to get hold of Jones’ agent,” said Lim. “Butch is our second option. He’s a four-guy who has a good touch from medium range.”

Gilas is set to leave March 12 to play at least five games against Australian selections in Sydney and Canberra. Then, the team will depart for Serbia on March 28 to play seven games.

Jones has played for Boston, Cleveland and Charlotte in the NBA. He teamed with current NBA guards Jameer Nelson and Delonte West to power St. Joseph’s University to a 30-2 record in 2004 and was the first player from Norman Black’s alma mater to register a triple double in nearly 20 years.

Butch, nicknamed the “Polar Bear,” is averaging 17.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 33 minutes for the Bakersfield Jam in the NBA Developmental League this season. He was the MVP of the recent D-League All-Star Game, compiling 18 points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes.

SBP executive director Noli Eala said Jones and Butch are coach Rajko Toroman’s personal picks.

As for Fil-Am guard Chris Lutz, Eala mentioned that the Marshall University deadshot will skip the Australia and Serbia tours to play out his varsity eligibility in the NCAA. “He is committed to join Gilas right after the playoffs,” continued Eala. “He will definitely play for Gilas during the coming US and Canada tours.”

Eala also said Bernie Atienza, Butch Antonio, Rico Meneses and Joey Bautista continue to be involved in Gilas’ affairs.

“They weren’t actually completely relieved of their duties with the national team,” explained Eala. “Bernie, as SBP deputy executive director, is chairman of the national team management group. Butch is coach Rajko’s choice as special assistant and handles all national teams so he clearly remains an integral part of Gilas.

Rico is chairman of the SBP marketing committee and still secures sponsorships for Gilas including, recently, deals with Unilab as official team sponsor, Omega Pain Killer as official liniment and GMA Pinoy TV as broadcast partner of the Mideast tour.

Joey is head of the SBP media group and handles digital information dissemination and documentation for Gilas. They’re all still very much involved with Gilas’ marketing, media and coordination with international federations. The only real change is for these guys to help Gilas outside of Smart’s payroll.

It’s part of what I agreed with SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas as budget management. These Gilas volunteers are responsible for the chemistry, camaraderie and animo of the team. The players will attest to their contributions.”


*******

Brian Butch (2009-10 NBA D-League Statistics)
PPG 17.5
RPG 10.60
APG 1.8
2010 NBA D-League All-Star Game MVP


Dwayne Jones (2009-10 NBA D-League Statistics)
PPG 17.4
RPG 15.60
APG 1.7

[Uzumaki_Naruto]

^ i like Dwayne Jones.. i saw him play.... he is good fit to our system... athletic big man... and i think bata pa itoh...

lets hope that he wants to play with the Smart Gilas..

[bhrixxe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha0I-eJ9MKM

yes.. ayos din to. kaya lang mukhang finesse.

[Uzumaki_Naruto]

eh well.. basta mas gusto ko syang kunin... kaysa kay butch... mas maganda naman mga galaw ni jones...

[EYELESS]

dwayne jones is a sub par NBA player but still can play with the pros.

siya nalang sana ang kunin nila. intimidating presence inside lang naman na ang kulang sa gilas e. they have players who could play both transition and half court ball, they just need that stabilizer ika nga on both the defensive and offensive end. dirty worker din itong si dwayne jones

[Uzumaki_Naruto]

siya na sana ang huli.. we are having problems in making somebody a filipino..