Tough test awaits RP developmental pool in Champions Cup

With its reliable guard a doubtful starter, its new import still adjusting to the system and a player on top of its wish list still uncertain, Smart-Gilas national developmental team faces an acid test in the coming 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup. And with the national team aspirants bracketed in the Group of Death, FIBA Asia champion coach Rajko Toroman believes his team is in a tough grind in this strong tournament to be participated by strong club teams from the Asian region. “We’re tired and we have players who are hurting," said Toroman, whose team just arrived Sunday after a series of international training. “We have new players, some of them not adjusted yet to the system. But we still have time to prepare." The members of the national developmental pool will be bracketed in this nine-day tournament beginning May 22 alongside Iran, Kazakhstan, Iraq and host Qatar in Group A. Teams included in Group B are Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. JV Casio, one of the squad’s dependable guards, is still recuperating from a leg injury and may not be fit to join the event. Milan Vucicevic, a 6-foot-9 countryman of Toroman, is the new import of Smart-Gilas, but whether he can adjust to the team’s system as quickly as possible remains to be seen. Smart-Gilas is also awaiting the possible inclusion of Kelly Williams, the former PBA Most Valuable Player, who is still being wooed by the management. “We had great training sessions overseas, but whether Milan can adjust quickly, or Kelly (Williams) will join us or JV Casio will be ready to play, is really hard to tell. It’s really hard to evaluate our team’s chances," said Toroman, whose team is seeking to improve its fifth-place finish last year. Smart-Gilas is coming off a stint in the Abunassar Training Camp in the United States. The team also had exposure playing against teams from the American Basketball League. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV