Black to Coach RP team in SEA Games

Source: Manila Bulletin

By WAYLON GALVEZ

September 27, 2010, 9:08pm

Ateneo’s multi-titled mentor Norman Black is set to be named head coach of the national team in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo’s multi-titled mentor Norman Black is set to be named head coach of the national team in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

A ranking official of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said the 52-year-old Black was the top choice from a short list of coaches because of his achievements, particularly the past five years with the Blue Eagles in the UAAP.

China, Korea next on Smart Gilas radar

source: tribune.net.ph

Now that Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas is already familiar with Middle Eastern brand of basketball, it’s now time for it to take a closer look at two other major rivals — China and Korea.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala yesterday declared readiness to face the “real” Chinese and Korean national squads in preparation for the big-time tourmanents ahead.

“At this point, it’s time for us to play China and Korea, and probably Kazakhstan because this teams will be important for the boys to have a mental note on,” Eala said.

Fresh from a third-place finish in the prestigious 21st Dubai International Tournament — the toughest cage tourney in the Middle East — Gilas gained a good insight of Middle Eastern teams, giving them a good shot at winning against legitimate contenders like Iran, Jordan and Lebanon in the 2011 Fiba-Asia Championship which stakes a single ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

SBP wants Asian test for Smart Gilas five

source: June Navarro | inquirer.net

After checking out the field in the Middle East, the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team now wants to size up Asian powerhouses China and Korea.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said Smart Gilas should now test its mettle against the Chinese and the Koreans to get a clear picture of the opposition in the Asian Games in November.

“At this point, it’s time for us to play against China and Korea, and probably Kazakhstan, because its important for our boys to take a mental note of these teams,” said Eala.

Smart Gilas may clinch Williams from Sta. Lucia, PBA

source: Julius Manicad | tribune.net.ph

Kelly Williams is a handshake away from becoming a member of Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas, or so it seems.

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios yesterday said transferring Williams to the national team is possible, but Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) should make a formal request and bring it before the PBA board of governors.

“It will all depend if and they make such a request and make a formal representation to the PBA board,” said Barrios, reacting to SBP project director Rajko Toroman’s appeal to enlist the 6-foot-7 versatile forward from Sta. Lucia Realty.

PBA teams still mum on lending players to Gilas

source: gmanews.tv

Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player (MVP) Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia, former rookie of the year Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and ex-national team standout Jared Dillinger of Talk ‘N Text on Smart Gilas team?

Their inclusion remains up for discussion by the PBA board of governors and their respective mother ballclubs.

This was confirmed by PBA vice chairman and Purfoods board governor Rene Pardo to GMANews.TV.

“We haven’t discussed anything yet on the table,” Pardo said. “It all depends on the team but it will be a big risk for the team’s because the period of time in between breaks in the PBA is very short and players will be needed right away by their mother teams.”

Smart Gilas Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, who steered the RP development national team to a third place finish in the 21st Dubai International basketball tournament, has mulled over the possibility of tapping several pro players in the Olympic-qualifying tournament.

Pardo sees no problem with lending several players from the pro league but expressed apprehensions for their respective mother teams.

“What if the said player got injured? The team that hired them would be on the losing end since they are no longer able to perform,” added Pardo.

Of the three players, Dillinger appears as the likely to be given the go signal to play since the Tropang Texters is owned by businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan.

Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu said they would follow whatever the PBA board decides on. “Whatever the PBA tells us, then we will follow.” – GMANews.TV

Smart-Gilas eyes pros to beef up RP squad

IS the Philippine Basketball Association ready to loan players to Smart-Gilas developmental team in major international basketball events?

This question was raised after Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, the highly-fancied coach of the RP team aspirants who made ripples in the 21st Dubai International basketball tournament, has raised the possibility of tapping several pro players in the Olympic-qualifying tournament.

Smart Gilas 5 to go all-Filipino in Asiad?

source: Joey Villar | philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas Pilipinas may just end up playing all-Filipino in this year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala yesterday said Smart Gilas might play without a naturalized player in the Asiad after team officials decided to drop top prospect Jamal Sampson from the roster.

Smart Gilas makes impact in Asia: Eala

MANILA, Philippines — They may have finished third in the highly competitive 21st Dubai Invitational, but Smart Gilas-Pilipinas has certainly shown they are a force to reckon with in the Asian region.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Noli Eala said the Philippine squad, which virtually played All-Filipino throughout the tournament, made an impact in the field that included Asian powerhouses Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar.

Gilas part ways with naturalized prospect Samspon

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala, center, answers a reporter’s question while Gilas team captain Chris Tiu, left, and coach Rajko Toroman listen during Tuesday’s PSA Forum in Manila.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ quest for a dependable big man continues.

This came after Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, tasked to steer the RP developmental team to the 2012 London Olympics, decided to explore other options in hope of landing the right foreign player to naturalize that will help solve Gilas’ problem in the middle.

Dubai finish augurs well for Gilas 5 Asiad bid

MANILA, Philippines – Asian powerhouse teams China and Iran can be beaten.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ Serbian Rajko Toroman made this assessment yesterday after the Nationals arrived from Dubai where they finished third in the tough 21st Dubai Invitational.

“The teams we played in Dubai are tougher than China. As for Iran, Jackson Vroman, their import in Dubai, will not play for them in the Asian Games,” Toroman said.