RP Gilas out to challenge Serbia’s best squads

MANILA, Philippines – Despite failing to land the prospect it was eyeing to naturalize, the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team departs for Belgrade, Serbia Friday for an intensive two-week training in preparation for a possible crack at the 2012 London Olympics. Serbian coach Rajko Toroman heads the 14-man squad leaving for Hong Kong at 8:00 a.m. Friday. From Hong Kong, the group will take a connecting flight to Frankfurt and finally to Belgrade. Comprising the young, 14-man squad are Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou, JR Cawaling, Magi Sison, Mac Baracael, Ryan Buenafe, Jayson Ballesteros, RJ Jasul, Rey Guevarra, JV Casio, Clifford Arao, Eldrich Ramos and Greg Slaughter. The RP quintet would be leaving without 6-foot-11 Chris Taft after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) decided to cut him from its roster after failing to meet the physical and medical requirements of the national team program. Taft, drafted by NBA team Golden State Warriors, was the American player the SBP was hoping to naturalize for eventual inclusion in the national team’s lineup. “The decision of the SBP is in keeping with our commitment not to trifle with the naturalization process while ensuring that only the most qualified candidate is selected to our Smart national team," said SBP executive director Noli Eala. Notwithstanding the hindrance, Eala said the RP squad remains focus in its Olympic mission. “We are undaunted by this slight setback and remain confident that we will attain our short and long term objectives." The nationals are set to play a total of seven games in the European country against top Division I and Division II teams. Serbia is a known powerhouse in world basketball and is Toroman’s country of birth. The nationals under Toroman, the architect behind Iran’s Beijing Olympic stint last year, are the same core the SBP is rearing in a bid to end the country’s 37-year drought in the Olympics. Head of delegation is National team management group chairman Bernie Atienza while Eala will follow the team on April 2. The RP squad returns on April 8. – GMANews.TV