Smart Gilas-Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman said a top three finish by his high-profile team is more attainable in this year's William Jones Cup.

"We're hoping to finish in the top three even though we expect a tough field in the Jones Cup. They got to do what they got to do to be able to get the job done," said Toroman.

The Serbian mentor is very calm and confident about his team’s chances in the tournament. He said that they have had good atmosphere during practices and that they are looking forward to the competition as it will serve as a good practice for them and a good measure of their adeptness and character in preparation for September’s FIBA Asia Qualifying Tournament in Wuhan, China for the 2012 London Olympics.

Along with PBA reinforcements Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros, the Nationals will be leaving for the Chinese Taipei capital Friday afternoon via a Philippine Airlines flight where they will be competing with Asian powerhouses like Jordan, Japan, Korea and Iran-teams that both Douthit and Head Coach Rajko Toroman foresee as the toughest test in the said tournament.

But amidst the tough competition, Douthit continues to share the sentiments of Toroman.

“I’ll be disappointed if we did not make top three," said naturalized Center Marcus Douthit when asked about Smart Gilas’ chances in the upcoming Jones Cup.

The 6-foot-11 center shared that their practices have been arduous and almost Herculean- leading him to proclaim that the national team is ready for battle. The starting center disclosed that their biggest challenge would be the continuous game days.



With the withdrawal of South Africa from the competition, the Philippines will now face two-time defending champion Iran on opening day, August 6. The national squad will play against Taiwan, Jordan, Malaysia, Korea, UAE and Japan in that specific order everyday until August 12.

"The Jones Cup would be a good experience for us because we're going to play against strong teams that would make us tougher in time for the Wuhan tournament," said Toroman.

Gilas stalwarts Jayvee Casio and Chris Tiu are also optimistic with their chances.

“All the teams are tough but we need this because we're going to see how other teams play and gauge where the team is. We prepared very hard for this and I know we will not lose sight of the goal and that is to qualify in September," said Casio.

Team captain Chris Tiu adds, "Coach Rajko thinks we have a chance at a top three finish but I'm confident we could be in the top two."

The former Ateneo stalwart is likewise unfazed by reports that Memphis Grizzlies 7-foot-2 center Hamed Haddadi will be suiting up for Iran.

"They say Hamed Haddadi is playing. So if he does, we'll get a glimpse of him when we play Iran in our last game," added Tiu.

Aside from Tiu, Douthit, Casio, Taulava and Hontiveros, others suiting up for the team are Jason Ballesteros, Dylan Ababou, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Mac Baracael, Japeth Aguilar, JV Casio and Mark Barroca.

source: Miakka J. Lim/JVP/RAF -GMA News

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Basketball’s international federation (FIBA) has given its approval for locked-out National Basketball Association (NBA) players to compete overseas during the work stoppage, it said on Friday.

“During a lockout NBA players… are free to play anywhere they want, whether for their national teams and/or for club teams,” FIBA said in a statement.

Any player who does compete overseas will do so at his own risk, especially if injured, FIBA noted.

The clearance comes as more and more NBA players are looking at overseas competition during the season-threatening labor dispute between the league and its players union.

New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams has already signed with Turkish club Besiktas and Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, one of the world’s top players, or his representative is expected to meet with Besiktas officials on Saturday to discuss the possibility of him also playing in Turkey.

League scoring champion Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder also could go overseas.

He has said the move is about 50-50.

FIBA said the NBA would not object to international play but would require players to return to their NBA teams as soon as the lockout ends.

“As the world governing body for basketball, we strongly hope that the labor dispute will be resolved as soon as possible, and that the NBA season is able to begin as scheduled,” FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann said in a statement.

However he added: “In view of our role to promote basketball worldwide, we support any player wishing to play the game, wherever and whenever.”

The NBA was not immediately available for comment.

Players union executive director Billy Hunter supports overseas play, saying it gives players a chance to earn a living and stay in shape.

Whether top players can earn enough to make the move financially rewarding is debatable, though.

The NBA locked out its players after talks on a new collective bargaining agreement broke down on June 30.

The parties are far apart on how to resolve their dispute, the league’s first work stoppage since 1998 when a lockout shortened the season to 50 games.

They are scheduled to hold their first labor talks since the lockout in New York next week.

Related post: http://zilljanmark.blogspot.com/2011/07/fiba-will-allow-nba-players-to-play.html

source: Reuters

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