Video: OOOPS! MALAYSIAN PLAYER GOT THE WRONG BALL!

SMART GILAS SEMIS BID: ALL BOILS DOWN TO JAPAN GAME

What a final day of eliminations in the 33rd William Jones Cup Basketball Championship in Taipei. With South Korea virtually in, four other countries are vying for the remaining three semi final slots in the prestigious annual international meet. Defending champions Iran, Jordan, Chinese-Taipei and the Philippines are all currently locked up with 4-2 win-loss slates behind the pace-setting Koreans (5-1). A victory by Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas against dangerous Japan today will send coach Rajko Toroman’s charges outright into the final four. However, if the much-improved Japan scores an upset win then things will get complicated for Smart Gilas. Jordan and Iran will try to knock each other out, while Chinese-Taipei will try to score a win over the Sokors to ensure their entry into the semis. A possible three-way tie is also possible if the Philippines drop their game vs. Japan, a Chinese-Taipei loss and the loser of the Iran-Jordan tiff. The quotient system will then determine who goes in. Toroman remains upbeat of their chances against Japan but he also knows that it will not be an easy outing for the Nationals, “Japan is a good team, they have players who never give up and they have great shooters. I think though that we have an advantage inside and we have to use that. But it won’t be an easy game.”

NOLI EALA: THE REAL MAN BEHIND THE SMART GILAS SUCCESS

Everyone knows that the successful Smart Gilas national program is the brain child of business tycoon and Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan. But who is the man who put the program altogether? Was it former SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio, current team manager Frankie Lim or present SBP executive director Sonny Barrios? Sorry guys, but it’s none of the above. It was former SBP executive director/ Smart Gilas team manager Noli Eala who made it all happened. It was the former PBA commissioner who hired current head coach Rajko Toroman, naturalized citizen Marcus Douthit and the collegiate pool that made up the national team program. Eala, who became friends with Toroman during the 2007 FIBA Asia championship in Tokushima, sought the services of the top-caliber Serbian mentor to handle the Smart Gilas national squad. Eala left the SBP with the Smart Gilas program in good hands to pursue a career in the corporate world. Eala says it feels great to see all his labor and sacrifices comes into fruition with regards to the Smart Gilas program, which aims to bring back the country among the elite teams in Asian hoops, according to his twitter account.

“I brought Rajko to the team. I brought all the players. I brought the coaches. No matter what people say I did my job.”

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.

SMART GILAS IS READY FOR WAR

The Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas are in high spirits as they begin their final preparations for the FIBA-Asia qualifiers next month when they see action in the 2011 William Jones Cup Basketball Championship in Taipeh starting tommorow. Smart Gilas will play gulf state powerhouse Jordan in the opener that will be televised locally by TV5’s AKTV on IBC13 and ESPN Philippines, respectively. Team skipper Chris Tiu is looking forward for at least a finals stint in the annual tournament, “Coach Rajko thinks we have a chance at a top three finish but I’m confident we could land in the top two. They say Hamed Haddadi is playing so if he does, we’ll get a glimpse when we play Iran in our last game.” On the other hand, National head coach Rajko Toroman says the Jones Cup is a great tune-up for the team and he also expect Smart Gilas to finish among the top three teams in the tourney, according to the Philippine Star.

“We’re hoping to finish in the top three even though we expect a tough field. The Jones Cup will be a good experience for us because we’re going to play strong teams that would make us tougher in time for the Wuhan tournament.”

$400K EACH FOR KB24, CP3 AND D-ROSE FOR MANILA EXHIBITION GAMES?

TV5/AKTV Photo

Everything was magical during the two-day NBA Manila Smart Ultimate All-Star Games last weekend. The Filipino hoop fans were treated to non-stop action by the visiting American superstars, which defeated the PBA Selection, 131-105 and walloped the Smart Gilas national team, 98-89, before jampacked crowds at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Sports Foundation made it all happened and fans around the country will forever be grateful for this once in a lifetime event. The MVP Sports Foundation even went out of the way to have the two games covered live on local TV. There was no holding back the nine-man NBA All-Stars from performing top-class acts highlighted by countless alley-oops, incredible passes and out-of-this world slams that was never before witnessed live by local fans in the country. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets were said to be paid at least $400,000 each for the two-game extravaganza, according to Sports Illustrated. But surely, any Filipino fan would say its worth the price.

“Star-studded exhibition games like the two taking place in the Philippines this weekend are proving to be quite profitable as well, with one source with knowledge of the deals saying the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Chicago's Derrick Rose are being paid more than $400,000 apiece for their weekend of work (reminder: tax-free). Worthwhile ventures like these are a less-explosive strategy on the labor front, though there is -- as reported by Yahoo! Sports on Saturday -- an impatient contingent of agents who is pushing for a more aggressive approach that involves the decertification of the union and subsequent antitrust lawsuits.”

TOUGH TEST AWAITS SMART GILAS IN 2011 JONES CUP

As one of their final warm-up tourneys toward the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifiers this coming September in Wuhan, China, the Smart Gilas national team will see action anew in the 2011 Jones Cup Invitational Championship in Taipei from August 6 to 14. The Nationals placed fourth in last year’s edition behind Iran, Lebanon and Japan.  Five PBA players are expected to beef up Smart Gilas in Taipei namely Asi Taulava, Dondon Hontiveros, Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Ranidel De Ocampo. Smart Gilas opens up its bid in the nine-nation meet against perennial Asian powerhouse Jordan on August 6. Herewith is the complete schedule of the 2011 Jones Cup Invitational Championship:

 Aug. 6

13:00 South Africa-Iran

15:00 Korea-UAE

17:00 Philippines-Jordan

19:00 Opening ceremony

19:30 Taiwan-Japan

Aug. 7

13:00 South Africa-Korea

15:00 UAE-Philippines

17:00 Japan-Malaysia

19:00 Iran-Taiwan

Aug. 8

13:00 UAE-Japan

15:00 Jordan-Iran

17:00 Korea-Malaysia

19:00 Taiwan-South Africa

Aug. 9

13:00 Iran-UAE

15:00 Japan-Jordan

17:00 Philippines-Korea

19:00 Malaysia-Taiwan

Aug. 10

13:00 UAE-Malaysia

15:00 Philippines-South Africa

17:00 Iran-Japan

19:00 Korea-Jordan

Aug. 11

13:00 South Africa-UAE

15:00 Malaysia-Iran

17:00 Japan-Philippines

19:00 Taiwan-Jordan

Aug. 12

13:00 Philippines-Malaysia

15:00 South Africa-Jordan

17:00 Japan-Korea

19:00 Taiwan-UAE

Aug. 13

13:00 Malaysia-South Africa

15:00 UAE-Jordan

17:00 Korea-Iran

19:00 Philippines-Taiwan

Aug. 14

13:00 Jordan-Malaysia

15:00 South Africa-Japan

17:00 Iran-Philippines

19:00 Taiwan-Korea

Closing ceremony

Venue: Sinjhuang Stadium, New Taipei City

NBA ALL-STARS FEVER TO HIT MANILA THIS WEEKEND

After a long, long time, the dream has come into reality. In the biggest NBA event since the 1979 NBA finalists Washington Bullets (now Wizards) played a lone game against a PBA selection bolstered by imports some 32 years ago, and the 32-man NBA barnstorming group that played a mini-series in 1975, certified NBA stars are set to see action in the two-game Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend on July 23 and 24 at the Araneta Coliseum. A crack eight man squad led by 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and another MVP (2008) Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, will play the PBA all-Filipino selection on Saturday and the Smart Gilas National team on Sunday. Completing the NBA all-stars are former rookie of the year winners Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets and Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, Lakers veteran warrior Derek Fisher, young stars James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers exciting big man DeAndre Jordan and the second pick over-all in the 2011 NBA rookie Draft, Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bryant will act as playing coach of the team. Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan’s MVP Sports Foundation is behind this once in a lifetime thrill for pinoy cage buffs. MVPSF official Al Panlilio says it took them many sleepless nights to make this event happen, according to the PhilStar.

“We’re proud to announce that a select group of superstars are coming over to play our own PBA All-Star selection and Smart Gilas Pilipinas in a couple of dream matches. We’ve had sleepless nights and we’re really glad this will happen.”

INJURIES HIT SMART GILAS SEABA CAMPAIGN

The Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas leaves tonight for Jakarta, Indonesia, to defend their Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship. The four-nation joust is set to start tomorrow until Sunday. Malaysia, Singapore, and host Indonesia are the other countries vying for the three slots to the FIBA Asia Olympic qualifiers in Wuhan, China on September. The Nationals will not be in full force as various injuries had hit the squad prior to the regional meet. Marcio Lassiter, JV Casio, Chris Lutz, and Japeth Aguilar are all currently in sick bay while Dylan Ababou is still in the recovery stage after battling flu the past week. Big men Greg Slaughter and Aldrech Ramos will also miss the tourney due to school commitments. Smart Gilas Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman says the lack of manpower in his team makes it tough to defend the SEABA title.

“Not so good, the injuries. What can I say except its going to be tougher for us than expected, not thanks to these injuries and not having enough players. But we’ll do all we can to compete in the SEABA and clinch a spot in the FIBA-Asia Championship.”

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL FOR SMART GILAS

The Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas may have lost the war in the 22^nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup but they have won the hearts of the entire nation. The Nationals failed a game short of a championship slot as they lost a heartbreaking 90-87 to the big, powerful and defending champions, Mahram of Iran before a big partisan crowd at the PhilSports Arena. The defeat relegated the Filipinos to a battle for third place against Al Rayyan of Qatar, which lost a lopsided 71-52 decision to the undefeated Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the other semis tiff. For awhile, many thought the game is over with about two minutes to go and Iran up by seven points but Gilas skipper Chris Tiu scattered five quick points to cut the lead down to just two with twenty seconds to play. We have our chances in the dying seconds but Mark Barroca and Marcio Lassiter bungled consecutive three-point shots that could have sent the game into an extension. Over-all, it was an inspiring game by Gilas as Mahram never led them by double-digit throughout the entire game. The performance in this tournament showcased the big improvement in their game with only three months to go before the all-important FIBA Asia Olympic qualifiers in Wuhan, China in September. National head coach Rajko Toroman says he is all-praised of his boys because they gave Mahram a run for their money and a team that he considered a better team than the Iranian National team itself, according to FIBA-Asia.

“I’m proud of the way the boys played against a team that is stronger than the Iranian National Team.”

MABUHAY PILIPINAS!

I was in a quandary last night regarding what to watch on the boob tube. The Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas is in a very crucial game against co-unbeaten ASU squad of Jordan in the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup. At the same time, I did not catch the live morning telecast of game one of the 2011 NBA finals between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, which I promised myself to watch the replay of the entire game later in the evening. At the last minute, through the prodding of my wife, I decided to tune-in instead to the Gilas game. That makes sense after all, considering that it is a live game and is more of an utmost importance for us being Filipinos. And the rest is history. God knows I made the correct and wise choice. Smart Gilas played its best game in the tourney as they nipped Jordan, 76-74 in a pulsating encounter. The win made the Nationals the top-seeded team in Group B. It was one heck of an emotional game. Birthday boy and veteran forward Dondon Hontiveros, one of two PBA players in the team, exploded for a team-high 23 points, while JV Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz delivered in the clutch to repulse the bigger and powerful Jordanian five. But it was the inspiring game of old warrior Asi Taulava which made the win more remarkable. He endlessly battled Jordan’s big men in the paint.  Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman says the game showed the typical tactical war in an international game and also gave credit to Taulava’s contributions to the well-deserved victory.

“This was a typical international game. Very tactical. They had the size, but I think we did very well to stop them. Of course we ran into foul trouble, but that is a part of the game. I have been saying from day one that Asi’s presence in the team is a great strength for us. He made us breathe a lot easier in defense.”

CHRIS TIU: THE JOHN STOCKTON OF ASIA

At first, you may find the comparison absurd. One is a young and tiny Filipino point guard of the National team and other, an American hoops hall-of-famer. I am referring to Chris Tiu of Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas and John Stockton, the retired ex-Utah Jazz and University of Gonzaga great. If you are following the games of Smart Gilas in the ongoing 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup, you would have noticed what I am trying to point out. The way Tiu handles the backcourt chores of the Nationals, the way he defends, and the court instincts that he have, all resembles the game of Stockton. He even have the choir boy looks just like the 6-2 partner of Karl Malone in Salt Lake City. He looks harmless on the court and just like Stockton, looks can be deceiving. He is a feisty kind of guard who would not back down from a rebound play even against opponents a foot taller than him, truly a Stocktonesque trait. Meet Chris Tiu, the John Stockton of Asia!

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.”

ALL ROADS LEAD TO PASIG CITY

Finally, big time international hoop championship returns to Manila after a six-year absence. The 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup reels off tomorrow at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City with ten countries vying for the prestigious title of this annual event. Mahram of Iran won last year’s championship over host Al Rayyan of Qatar. This year’s edition will see both teams landing in the same group during the preliminary round. Group A will be made up of Duhok (Iraq), ASU (Jordan), Kuala Lumpur Dragons (Malaysia), host Smart Gilas Nationals and Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia). Mahram and Al Rayyan leads Group B with Al Riyadi (Lebanon), Al Jala'a (Syria) and Al Shabab (United Arab Emirates). Imports seeing action are Darren Keely and Vladislav Dragajlovic of Al Ittihad, Samaki Walker and Jamaal Miller of Al Jala’a, Chauncey Leslie and Ousseynou Ndiaye of Al Rayyan, Loren Woods and William Carl Pharis of Al Riyadi, Courtney Fields of Al Shabab, Ryan Forehan-Kelly and ex-PBA import Jameel Watkins of ASU, Marcus Morrison and Christopher Martin Ayer of KL Dragons, ex-Smart Gilas stalwart CJ Giles of Duhok and Christopher Williams and Samb Chikh of the defending champions Mahram. Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas will be bannered by naturalized citizen Marcus Douthit, PBA standouts Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros and regulars Chris Tiu, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and Mark Barroca. The Gilas squad are setting their sights on the championship this year following a dismal 7th place finished last year. Games will be shown locally on IBC-13 via TV 5 Sports. The following is the complete schedule of the preliminary games:

28/05/2011 1 1400 PhilSports PR – A Duhok (IRQ) vs. ASU (JOR)

28/05/2011 2 1600 PhilSports PR – B Al Jala'a (SYR) vs. Mahram (IRI)

28/05/2011 3 1800 PhilSports PR – A Smart Gilas (PHI) vs. Al Ittihad (KSA)

28/05/2011 4 2000 PhilSports PR – B Al Shabab (UAE) vs.Al Riyadi (LIB)

29/05/2011 5 1400 PhilSports PR – A Al Ittihad (KSA) vs. Duhok (IRQ)

29/05/2011 6 1600 PhilSports PR – B Al Rayyan (QAT) vs. Al Jala'a (SYR)

29/05/2011 7 1800 PhilSports PR – A KL Dragons (MAS) vs. Smart Gilas (PHI)

29/05/2011 8 2000 PhilSports PR – B Mahram (IRI) vs.  Al Shabab (UAE)

30/05/2011 9 1400 PhilSports PR – A ASU (JOR) vs. Al Ittihad (KSA)

30/05/2011 10 1600 PhilSports PR – A Duhok (IRQ) vs. KL Dragons (MAS)

30/05/2011 11 1800 PhilSports PR – B Al Riyadi (LIB) vs. Mahram (IRI)

30/05/2011 12 2000 PhilSports PR – B Al Shabab (UAE) vs. Al Rayyan (QAT)

31/05/2011 13 1400 PhilSports PR – B Al Jala'a (SYR) vs. Al Shabab (UAE)

31/05/2011 14 1600 PhilSports PR – A KL Dragons (MAS) vs. ASU (JOR)

31/05/2011 15 1800 PhilSports PR – B Al Rayyan (QAT) vs. Al Riyadi (LIB)

31/05/2011 16 2000 PhilSports PR – A Smart Gilas (PHI) vs. Duhok (IRQ)

01/06/2011 17 1400 PhilSports PR – A Al Ittihad (KSA) vs. KL Dragons (MAS)

01/06/2011 18 1600 PhilSports PR – B Mahram (IRI) vs. Al Rayyan (QAT)

01/06/2011 19 1800 PhilSports PR – B Al Riyadi (LIB) vs. Al Jala'a (SYR)

01/06/2011 20 2000 PhilSports PR – A ASU (JOR) vs. Smart Gilas (PHI)

RP SMART GILAS GUNS FOR FIBA-ASIA CHAMPS CUP TITLE

If the campaign of Team Pilipinas Smart Gilas in the forthcoming FIBA-Asia Champions Cup ends up outside the top two finalists, head coach Rajko Toroman will consider it a failure. That is how confident the Nationals are as they brace up for the 10-team tourney set to start on May 28 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. This is the final year of the three-year program aim to bring back the Philippines to the Olympiad cage circle in London next year. The Olympic qualifiers is scheduled this Septmber in China where only one slot is available for the London games. Naturalized citizen Marcus Douthit together with PBA reinforcements Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros spearheads Smart Gilas, which will be playing Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in the opening day. Torman says the Asia Champs Cup is a tough competition but they hope not to disappoint their countrymen by finishing in the top two spots of the eight-day event.

“We’re aiming for a finals appearance at least and see what happens from there. We know the Filipino people are coming to watch and cheer for us and we don’t want to disappoint them. We have to be prepared because we know the competition is going to be tough.”

WARY OF KUWAIT FIVE

If you think Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas will have an easy sailing in their Asian Games knockout opener against Kuwait on Saturday, better think again. Smart Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman expects a rough Kuwait five in their do-or-die encounter in which the winner advances to the main draw of the quadrennial games. Even team consultant Chot Reyes thinks Kuwait is no pushover for the Nationals.

Rajko Toroman

Rajko Toroman:

“It will not be easy as it would be a rough game. They are undersized with not much skills but very aggressive. They would provoke technical fouls.”

Chot Reyes

Chot Reyes:

“They’re a very rough team. They will be no pushovers. There is no such thing as an easy KO match anyway.”

DO-OR-DIE OPENER

Mac Baracael of Smart Gilas takes a
jumper in file photo.

This is ridiculous. Where in this world can you find a basketball tournament where the opening games are a do-or-die scenario? Well, only in the Guangzhou Asian Games. Four win-or-go home games will kick-off the quadrennial competitions and Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas will play one of those crazy games. Coach Rajko Toroman’s boys will play Saudi Arabia and the winner advances to the second round. In an article by Quinito Henson of PhilStar, Toroman says he totally disagree with the knockout format and suggested a qualification play that will decide the best 12 teams in the Asian region. Aside from naturalized citizen Marcus Douthit, three PBA stars namely Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and Sol Mercado will reinforce Smart Gilas in the Guangzhou tilt. 

“I don’t agree with it. There must be a qualification (tournament) before the Asian Games so that the best 12 teams will be in Guangzhou, not one game to decide.”

PBA IS STILL THE KEY

Miami Heat head coach
Erik Spoelstra

Recent Manila visitor Miami Heat Filipino-American head coach Erik Spoelstra said the PBA remains a vital factor in forming the National team, according to Quinito Henson in his column “Sporting Chance” in the PhilStar. Spoelstra believes that even with a great coach like Rajko Toroman, the inclusion of PBA players in Team Pilipinas holds the key to success. All because the best players in the country comes from the Asia's first play-for-pay loop.

“First of all, the national basketball federation and the PBA must be on the same page. I know coach Rajko Toroman and he’s an excellent coach. If there’s anyone who can bring the Philippines back on top of Asia, it’s coach Rajko. But I think he should be able to draw some players from the PBA because that’s where the country’s best players are. You can’t form a national team without the country’s best players.”

IMPRESSIVE LOSS

Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas.

Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas head coach Rajko Toroman was quite impressed and proud of his wards in an 81-80 defeat to host Lebanon in the semi-finals of the FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut. The undermanned Nationals rallied from ten-points down in the last six minutes only to fall short of an upset win. But still, Toroman was a happy man after the game in which he said was the best game played by the team since he became the head mentor, according to the PhilStar.

“We played the best game since I became coach of the Smart Gilas. The game was great. Lebanon played good, the fighting spirit of the players was there, which I didn’t see in a long time.”

CALL OF DUTY

Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas Team Manager Frankie Lim said that 6-9 Coca Cola slotman Asi Taulava will join the team in the coming Stankovic Cup in Lebanon, according to Philstar. For sure, Taulava will readily answer the call of duty for the crippled National team. Smart Gilas will play in the tournament without four regular players in Marcus Douthit, Greg Slaughter, Chris Lutz and  Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

“Asi will join us in Lebanon, FIBA-Asia has already agreed. We have asked permission from Coke and the PBA, we hope they’ll allow us to get Asi. We will need a big man to replace Greg and Marcus. I think Asi will be able to fill in that spot and it is important also to have a big body in the paint. He might be able to help us also in the future.”