PBA players to FIBA Asia tilt gets Toroman’s backing

Rajko Toroman, Smart Gilas’ celebrated head coach, is open to the idea of having professional players in the national developmental team that will participate in next year’s FIBA Asia Championship. “Yes, I am open to it, but I cannot give names at this time," Toroman told GMANews.TV. “I will talk to Ricky Vargas about the plan and the SBP will also discuss this issue with the PBA." Vargas is the vice president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country’s governing body in basketball. He is also the board governor of Talk N Text in the PBA. The PBA agreed to loan three players to the Smart Gilas squad in the recent Asian Games in Guangzhou, China — former Most Valuable Players Kelly Williams and Asi Taulava and promising guard Sol Mercado.

Despite the presence of the three pros, the national developmental squad finished sixth, its lowest performance since 1978. The Philippines wasn't able to participate in the 2006 Asiad in Doha, Qatar, as the country was suspended by FIBA (International Basketball Federation) because of a leadership dispute. Last Tuesday, the PBA was invited by the SBP to the latter's board meeting and provided the pro league its annual report. As a stakeholder in the SBP, the PBA owns two seats, which also makes the Asia's first professional league a voting member. But PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud said in a telephone interview that no discussion was made with regards to the loaning of professional players to the national developmental team for its 2011 FIBA Asia Championship campaign. “We were invited by the SBP to their board meeting last Tuesday and we were just provided with the annual report," said Salud. “There was no discussion regarding the loaning of players to the national team." Salud added that the SBP also presented them the calendar of events for the youth team, as well as the women’s and men’s teams for 2011. “We were able to know the calendar of events of our national teams and we will also make some adjustments in our schedule in the PBA as the country will be hosting a major basketball event," said Salud. If plans push through, the Philippines will host the FIBA Asia Champions Cup next year, and Salud doesn't want the PBA to become a competitor in terms of media mileage. "We take pride in hosting an event such as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, and the PBA can take the backseat in exchange for national interest," added Salud. Douthit to boost PHL 5’s chances Marcus Douthit, a former rookie draftee of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, failed to join the national developmental squad in the Asian Games. His application for Philippine citizenship was only granted days before the start of the Asian Games. His presence could have made a huge impact on the Filipino cagers’ performance. But the 6-foot-10 slotman is expected to join the Smart Gilas squad in next year’s FIBA Asia Championship in Beiruit, a qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics. “He will be a big help, no doubt," said Toroman, who led Iran to its first Olympic stint in basketball in 2008. “He could have changed our fortune in the Asian Games, but despite his absence, we were a competitive team." “We just lost some tough matches. Now, we have high hopes with Douthit around." - KY, GMANews.TV