Tiu, who skippered the Norman Black-mentored all-amateur team that snared the basketball gold medal in last month’s 26th Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, is itching for another tour of duty, this time with Smart Gilas II, which is expected to be formed early next year.
“Yes I want to still play for the national team and hoping that the Smart Gilas II program will allow me to fulfill my dream of playing in the World Championships or the Olympics,” Tiu yesterday told The STAR.
Smart Gilas II is a reprise of the program of the original Gilas team that came to within two wins of a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president and Smart chair Manny V. Pangilinan has announced that the Gilas program would be retained without specifying the team composition.
The idea is to form the coaching staff first by the first quarter of 2012.
Being considered are Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, Black and PBA coaches Chot Reyes, Ryan Gregorio, Tim Cone and Jong Uichico.
Tiu didn’t want to comment on his coaching preference.
“I’m as clueless as you and everybody and I don’t want to comment on who I want as coach of Gilas II,” said Tiu.
Tiu, however, stressed that the players who would be chosen to comprise Gilas II should be dedicated and committed to staying with the program.
“There are many talented players in the Philippines but not all truly desire to play for the national team,” said Tiu. “Of course height is important for the frontline but what’s more important is commitment.”
Tiu and naturalized Marcus Douthit are expected to be named members of Gilas II.
Greg Slaughter, Aldrech Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, RR Garcia, Garvo Lanete, Dave Marcelo and Kevin Alas are collegiate players likely to be considered.
source by Joey Villar |The Philippine Star
0 comments:
Post a Comment