SMART GILAS: STILL FAR FROM BEING FEARSOME

It was a very disappointing performance so far for the Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas in the ongoing 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup at the PhilSports arena in Pasig City. The Nationals struggled for form in the first half of their game against the second-rate Kuala Lumpur Dragons of Malaysia before playing solidly in the final half to win, 95-64. The Dragons, which almost relied solely on its two imports Chris Ayer and Mike Morrison, led the Gilas, 40-39 at the half. With only four months to go before the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifiers, it looks like coach Rajko Toroman’s charges are still far from being a well-oiled machine gunning for the sole regional spot for the London Games. Toroman says their unfamiliarity with the Dragons game contributed to the team’s anemic showing in the first half.

“We didn’t know anything about Malaysia and we’re playing bad in the first half, that’s why we struggled. But I told them at the break that we should play like we used to – be aggressive and run like hell.”