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Gilas to reinforce SEAG-bound PHL men's cage team


Smart Gilas players are expected to reinforce the Sinag Pilipinas men's basketball team for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas players watch their semifinals game against Al Wahda Syria in the 22nd Dubai International Basketball Tournament. Albert Alba
Glenn Capacio, an assistant coach of the Sinag Pilipinas team mentored by multi-titled coach Norman Black, said that Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter and Aldrech Ramos were among the 16 players who attended the by-invitation-only tryouts for the SEA Games team last January 29. Chris Tiu, who was included in the team during the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand but was dropped at the last minute, has also expressed interest in joining the team. "I think it's just a formality for them to be included in the team," said Capacio. "We know what Japeth, Greg and the other guys can bring to the team so I expect them to be shoo-ins." Among those who attended the tryouts were UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) RR Garcia of Far Eastern University, Ateneo's Eric Salamat, San Sebastian College's Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang. The tryouts started the process of the formation of the SEA Games cage team that will compete in Palembang province this November. Capacio said that they are still expecting more players to join the tryouts. "From what I know, after three to five tryouts, we will know who will be included in the pool. We are looking at tapping 18 to 20 players for the training pool for the SEA Games," Capacio. Capacio said that they are inclined to put up a run-and-gun team for the SEA Games. "We know that Coach Norman’s teams want to run. Basing it on those who attended the first tryouts, we are okay with the big men and guards but we still need some wingmen and shooters who are big," said Capacio. Capacio also said that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is planning to use this year's edition of the Southeast Asian Basketball Championship as a tune-up for the team. Capacio said that Aguilar, who has practiced for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters recently, is in top form despite the knee injury that sidelined him for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. "He (Aguilar) is in good shape," said Capacio. - JVP, KY, GMANews.TV
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