SMART GILAS BADLY NEEDS A TRIGGERMAN

Everybody knows that size will be not be in favor of Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas in the coming FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifiers in Wuhan, China next month. Even though how good or great the system of well-known FIBA game expert coach Rajko Toroman, the Filipinos will be in a big disadvantage playing our tall Asian rivals. To break the dreaded zone defense by the strong oppositions, Smart Gilas needs a great outside shooter to open up the middle for big guys Marcus Douthit, Asi Taulava and Japeth Aguilar and likewise negate the height disadvantage. Gone were the days when pure shooters was an integral part of the national team like Bogs Adornado and Jun Papa in the 70’s, and Allan Caidic, naturalized citizen Chip Engelland, Alfie Almario and Ludivico Valenciano of the 80’s. Among the Smart Gilas players, Dondon Hontiveros, Mac Baracael, Chris Tiu, JV Casio and Jimmy Alapag are being relied upon by Toroman for outside artillery but none among the aforementioned players can be considered a pure shooter or a triggerman. Fil-Am Chris Lutz was advertised as a deadly outside gunner before he was tapped to join the Gilas squad. But so far, Lutz has been inconsistent with his outside bombs. One PBA player that could have been considered for the nationals is Jeff Chan of the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters. The 6-2, former FEU Tamaraws standout’s game is built in the mold of a Caidic and has bailed out the Elasto Painters several times with his deadly outside shooting. In the battlefield in Wuhan, Smart Gilas may be ready for war but the need for an accurate outside artillery will further help our chances of securing an Olympic berth.