Toroman faces uncertain future with SMART-Gilas

A day after the 2011 PBA Rookie Draft that saw seven members of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team picked in the first round, the squad had an emotional practice session that doubled as a thanksgiving for coach Rajko Toroman.

Veteran center Asi Taulava, on loan to the national team from the Meralco Bolts, described the scene on Twitter.

“I almost had to hand coach Rajko a tissue after practice,” the 6-foot-10 Fil-Tongan wrote. “Gilas guys thanked him for all the teaching and experience they learned from him. Kudos to Coach Rajko.”

Starting point guard Jayvee Casio was picked first overall, while Chris Lutz (third), Marcio Lassiter (fourth), Mark Barroca (fifth), Mac Baracel (sixth), Jason Ballesteros (seventh), and Dylan Ababou (10th) were also selected.

The draftees are expected to join their respective PBA teams after their stint in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championships in September.

Toroman said that the players, who have been training under him for most of the last three years, are more than ready to join the pro league.

“I think it’s been a win-win situation both for Gilas and the PBA,” he said. “Because of the Gilas program, these players have become better ball players and their entry in the draft makes the event probably the most talented group of rookie batch in years.”

Also adding to the emotionally-charged atmosphere is the uncertain status of Toroman. While SMART-Gilas management has announced that it will extend the program, there is no assurance that the Serbian mentor will continue to head the team.

“I still don’t know if I will be back as coach,” said Toroman, whose contract expires on October 15. “But that’s not important now, because we’re focusing on the coming FIBA-Asia Championship.”

‘Toroman should stay’

For at least two prominent basketball observers, Toroman should be able to continue what he has started with the SMART-Gilas program.

Tim Cone, the multi-titled Alaska mentor who coached the last Philippine national basketball team to win a medal in an Asian-level competition in 1998, thinks that Toroman should stay.

“Toroman is doing a great job, so he should be given continuity in handling the squad,” he said.

The sentiment was shared by Allan Caidic, a veteran international campaigner who represented the Philippines as an amateur with the Northern Consolidated national team and as a professional with three different PBA-backed squads in the 1990, 1994, and 1998 Asian Games. Caidic was also part of the coaching staff of the 2002 team that competed in the Busan Asian Games.

“Nasimulan na nila eh, so dapat si Coach Rajko na rin ang mag-handle dyan,” he said. “Mahirap kung pabago-bago parang babalik na naman sila sa umpisa.”

Reynaldo Belen, Interaktv