Gilas gears up for match with NBA Stars

**Admin Magic Man13** Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:48 am

WHILE local fans may treat it as a mere fun game, Serbian coach Rajko Toroman intends to take the exhibition match between Smart Gilas against an NBA All-Star squad next weekend at the Big Dome very seriously.

"We will play our game and see how they will respond," said Toroman of the game pitting his charges against a team led by returning five-time NBA and Los Angeles Laker superstar Kobe Bryant, who was in the country just last week to conduct basketball clinics.

"Our aim is to use everything we can in our preparation for the FIBA Asia championship," added Toroman.

The Filipino cagers will gun for the lone London Olympics slot up for grabs in the FIBA Asia tourney set on Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China.

Aside from Bryant, among the other NBA stars coming over are top point guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, James Harden of the Oklahoma Thunder and Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

According to Toroman, the latest NBA player to join the visiting squad, which will be backstopped by two NBA Developmental League players, is Derek Fisher, Bryant’s longtime back court partner with the Lakers.

The visitors will play two exhibition games for the benefit of the MVP Sports Foundation, starting on July 23 against a PBA Selection and July 24 versus Smart Gilas, both at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bong Pedralvez, Business Malaya Insight