There’s one guy who was not just impressed by Gilas Pilipinas’ showing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games but also not too sold on its chances of making the grade for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rajko Toroman, the Serbian tactician who used to call the shots for the Philippines, said that despite Gilas’ success in regaining the SEA Games crown, he was not moved by the feat.
“I don’t know If they are on the right track. I am not impressed with their performance in the SEA Games.”
But Toroman insists that a well-prepared Gilas can even emerge as the No. 1 team in Asia owing to their huge homecourt advantage.
“What I know is that, if they prepare better, they have a chance to be No. 1 (in Asia). First of all they play at home in front of domestic fans and they will play with a lot of energy and puso.”
Take it from somebody like Toroman, who has competed in the Olympics after steering Iran to the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship, an achievement that awarded him the chance to showcase his coaching savvy in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Philippines could do what Iran did 15 years ago if it winds up as the best-performing Asian squad during the 25 August to 10 September FIBA World Cup that will be held in Manila, Okinawa and Jakarta.
Still, returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1972 is easier said than done.
Although Gilas regained the SEA Games cage supremacy, they were beaten by host Cambodia in the preliminaries before exacting payback.
‘If both players can play, chances of doing good will be bigger.’
Cambodia fielded a bevy of naturalized players from the United States and handed the Justin Brownlee-powered squad a sound beating.
Toroman believes that for the Gilas crew to become competitive, it has to include not just Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz but Brownlee as well.
“If both players can play, chances of doing good will be bigger,” he added.
An appeal was made by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to grant Brownlee play alongside Clarkson based on residency.
A three-time Best Import and a six-time champion in the Philippine Basketball Association, Brownlee has been playing in Asia’s pioneering professional league the past seven years.
“Now Gilas have with (June Mar) Fajardo and Kai Sotto, Japeth (Aguilar) and (AJ) Edu. That was our problem before, now they have the size,” Toroman added.
“That can be a big factor in the World Cup.”
“Before, you could easily find 10 guards plus Jordan or Brownlee who have enough talent to play for Gilas and be competitive, but I don’t think that size is a problem anymore. If you develop a system and chemistry that would be great for Philippine basketball.”
But even if Brownlee and Clarkson join hands, the road to the top is going to be extremely rough and tough.
“The competition is strong as China has a new, but very famous coach in Saša Djordjevic,” Toroman said.
“Japan is a country which improved a lot the past few years and they have the best league in Asia. Lebanon has a great team, while Jordan and South Korea remain formidable. It’s going to be a tough competition out there, even at the Asian level.”
