Philippine Sports News and Updates

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have to rely heavily on American CJ Giles after its three other reinforcements begged off from seeing action in the 20th Fiba-Asia Champions Cup slated May 12-20 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Serbian Rajko Toroman, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas project director and Smart Gilas coach, yesterday disclosed that US based Japeth Aguilar and Fil-Ams Chris Lutz and Sean Anthony will not be able to join the team in the Fiba Asia qualifier due to previous commitments.

“Because of their commitments, they would not be joining us in Jakarta,” said Toroman during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Ave.

Aguilar, Lutz and Anthony joined the team in the training camp and a series of exhibition games against taller, tougher teams in Las Vegas, Nevada last week where they won three of six tune-up matches.

But Aguilar will still have to clear his stint with the RP squad with his US NCAA Division I West Kentucky University team as well as Lutz with Marshall U and Anthony with McGill U.

“We will still have to wait a little more for them,” said Toroman.

The 6-10 Giles, who joined the Nationals on their way back to RP, however said he is more than willing to be ready to play for the team.

“I’m not the leader type of guy, I’m more of a team player. But I’m having a great time, and we (the team) are very eager to learn,” said Giles, who saw action in the Toronto Summer League and with the Los Angeles Lakers in the pre-season.

“But if coach wants me to grab 20 rebounds and score no points, I’ll be glad to do it,” he said.

“He’s an energetic player, a team player,” said Toroman, who hopes to steer RP to the 2012 London Olympics like he did to Iran in the 2008 Beijing Games.

Smart Gilas, headed by skipper Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou and JV Casio, is scheduled to leave Sunday night for Jakarta.

“We have a future. They are a young, energetic team and we still have a long way to go,” said Butch Antonio, head of operations for the Smart Gilas Team.

Other members of the team are JR Cawaling, Aldrech Ramos, Marnel Baracael, Magi Sison, Ford Arao, Greg Slaughter, RJ Jazul, Rey Guevarra, Ryan Buenafe and Jason Ballesteros.

• Philstar
• Philippine Sports Central