MANILA—The Smart Gilas national team is eyeing the PBA Commissioner’s Cup as training ground for the Fiba Asia Championship.
Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim yesterday said the plan to pit the RP five with the 10 PBA ballclubs intends to hone the Nationals’ skills further and keep them in competitive shape.
“It will be good for the national team,” said Lim. “They (PBA officials) are already aware of our intention to join.”
The import-flavored conference is scheduled to start in late February.
Smart Gilas played in the Philippine Cup in 2009 as part of the team’s preparation for the 2010 Fiba Asia Champions Cup and the Asian Games held two months ago in Guangzhou, China, where the Nationals finished sixth.
This time, Smart Gilas wants to include the Commissioner’s Cup in its training schedule for the Fiba Asia Championship in China, on Sept. 15 to 25. The tournament is the Asian qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics.
Smart Gilas will also see action in the Dubai International Tournament on Jan. 20 to 29, the Fiba Asia Champions Cup in May, and the Jones Cup in Taipei in August.
Prior to the Champions Cup, the national squad will stay in Belgrade for a week-long scrimmage against Serbian pro ballclubs.
Meanwhile, Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman said 6-foot-10 Marcus Douthit will rejoin the team today after a two-month vacation in the United States. The American is still waiting for the approval of his Filipino citizenship.
June Navarro, Phil. Daily Inquirer