Gilas RP 5 ready for PBA with or without Japeth

source: gmanews.tv

Serbian coach Rajko Toroman’s Smart Gilas developmental team is ready for the big battles ahead in the Philippine Basketball Association with or without Japeth Aguilar.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)-backed RP developmental team bulldozed their way past the Yeng Guiao-coached all-pro Powerade-Team Pilipinas in Monday’s benefit game at the Araneta Coliseum.

Basketball enthusiasts were able to get a glimpse of possibly the next fearsome twosome frontline combo of 6-foot-9 former Western Kentucky University player Japeth Aguilar and 6-foot-11 ex-Los Angeles Laker CJ Giles as they outplayed their more experienced rivals from Powerade led by Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kerby Raymundo and Jay-R Reyes.

But whether this formidable frontline partnership would continue for Smart Gilas when it plays as guest team in the PBA’ season-opening Philippine Cup remains remote as a possible ban is staring on the face of controversial top overall pick Aguilar, who turned his back from Burger King and the pro league as well and pursue a career with the amateur-laden Smart Gilas.

“He’s (Aguilar) a very important player for us," said Toroman. “He’s really a part of the team and he enjoys playing with us. But the decision is on the PBA. It’s a pity that this kind of a potential player would sit down for two or three months."

With Aguilar most likely to be given stiff sanction, Smart Gilas may not be able to utilize its dreaded frontline combo. But its frontline is just part and parcel of the team’s solid unit.

Against Powerade, the rest of the Smart Gilas players did a little bit of everything to win – from the able quarterbacking of Andy Barroca and JV Casio, to Dylan Ababou and Chris Tiu’s timely hits, and the perfect complement of Marc Barracael, Aldrich Ramos and JR Cawaling.

“I think we were more motivated in this game. Powerade have excellent players. Maybe we don’t have these kinds of players, but we played more solid as a team," said Toroman, the man responsible in leading Iran to its first FIBA Asia title in 2007. “We hope to add more players next year."

Smart Gilas hopes to add several marquee players from the collegiate ranks such as Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Ryan Buenafe of Ateneo, Paul Lee of University of the East, Junmar Fajardo of University of Cebu and 6-foot-4 Fil-Am Chris Lutz of Marshall University.

Smart Gilas, which will play as guest team in the season-opening PBA Philippine Cup, starts its bid against Burger King on Oct. 16 at the Cuneta Astrodome. After playing for 10 games, the developmental squad will fly to Amsterdam to compete in the Harlem Invitational Basketball tournament where it faces teams from Israel, Brazil, Holland and the United States.

Aside from this event, Smart Gilas will also see action in several international tournaments as part of its preparation for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.