Smart Gilas plays China sans Yao in FIBA-Asia

Manila, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will play the powerhouse Chinese squad in the first game of the FIBA-Asia Chamonship slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China probably minus one big problem – Yao Ming.

The 2.25 meters (7-6), 31-year-old Yao, the biggest NBA star that came out from China and the East, reportedly announced his retirement after he was plagued with foot and leg injuries in the latter part of his career particularly with Houston Rockets where he spent all his NBA years.

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“We knew before that Yao Ming will play,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, who is hoping to steer the Nationals to the 2012 London Olympics with a title win in the 11-day joust.

“His (Yao) absence will give other countries a bigger chance to win, including our Smart Gilas team,” he added.

Smart Gilas captain Chris Tiu and manager Frankie Lim likewise welcomed the development but were quick to say that there are other problems the Filipinos would have to ponder about.

“Its good news but we still have to worry about other talents of China, who all have NBA potential,” said Lim.

“Of course, it’s good for us but they still have other NBA players in their fold,” said Tiu referring to Washington Wizards forward Yi Jianlian and former Dallas Mavericks’ Wang Zhi Zhi.


“Also, we still need to hurdle the powerhouse teams like Iran, Lebanon, South Korea. But with the tactical game of coach Rajko, our skill and speed, we can beat them to gel and play competitive games with the PBA reinforcements,” he added.

The Nationals got the luck of the Wuhan draw as they were bracketed with China in the group matches, which meant the former avoided an early playoff confrontation with the heavily favored host squad, which is gunning no less than a berth in London.

Smart Gilas, which finished in the semifinals of the import-laced FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Manila last month, should beat United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and one more win in the two-round elimination to advance to the knockout stage. - Joey Villar

“I think we have a good group. China is a big favorite and it’s good that we are playing China earlier,” said Toroman.

Meanwhile, Smart Gilas annihilated the Cebu Ninos in Cebu, the Landmasters in Mandaue City and then the Ninos again in Iloilo in three exhibition games just a week after sweeping their way to the SEABA crown in Jakarta, Indonesia with a whopping average winning margin of 40 points.

“It was a good series of exhibition games, we’re looking to have perhaps some more international games,” said Toroman.