MANILA—Equipped with a cohesive unit and a healthy personnel, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is aiming for a better finish in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Unlike their previous PBA outing in 2009, the Nationals will bring in a seasoned lineup toughened by several international tournaments overseas the past two years.
“We’re excited to play in the PBA again and we’re a little optimistic of our chances,” said Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu after practice Monday night at The FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
And why not? Smart Gilas has the slight advantage in size and height over the nine PBA ballclubs after signing up naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit to combine forces with the seven-foot Greg Slaughter and 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar in the lane.
The 6-foot-10 Douthit is no ordinary inside operator.
Douthit has the stroke from the perimeter, can create unstoppable moves off the dribble and grab rebounds on both ends just like what he showed in the Dubai Invitational last month where Smart Gilas finished second place in a tournament, which allowed three imports.
Douthit’s presence can simply help Smart Gilas improve its 4-7 record in the 2009 PBA Philippine Cup.
“Marcus is the guy we wanted. Tall, can defend and score and most importantly, he has good attitude and chemistry with the team,” said Tiu.
It will even be more exciting since the Philippine five will play as a regular participant in the pro league, getting a chance to replicate the PBA crown won by the Northern Consolidated Cement RP team back in the 80s.
Warming up for the import-laced second conference on February 18, Smart Gilas is scheduled to play a pair of tuneup games against the Meralco Bolts and the Barangay Ginebra Kings this weekend.
“We will need these games to be ready when the second conference unfolds,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim.
The team’s PBA stint plays a significant part on its preparation for the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China on September 15 to 25 where the champion qualifies to the 2012 London Olympics.
On rules, Lim doesn’t mind playing PBA rules instead of Fiba’s.
“The bottom line is that we’re playing in the PBA with the best players in the land, which would help the team a lot,” said Lim.
Joining Douthit and Tiu in the PBA are Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Dylan Ababou, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Mac Baracael, Jason Ballesteros and Aldrech Ramos.
June Navarro, Phil. Daily Inquirer
