Catching up with Smart Gilas before the Stankovic Cup

The other day, a friend of mine texted me asking me to verify if the reports that Smart Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman had skipped town. So what did I do? I went straight to the source -- the coach himself who was half-surprised, half-amused about the report. "Where did that come from?" he asked. 

"Beats me, coach. I'd be one of the first to know if that was true but I still need to hear it from you."

"Ah, some people want to destroy what we are doing. All they do is cause trouble." he added. And yes, that's true. More so when there are enemies from within (nakakhiya kayong tatlong itlog). I can't believe it's come to that! Geez.

Yesterday, I saw the national team in practice again and I spent about an hour and a half before I hightailed it home. Like every other time, it sure feels like old home week being with the team as they expressed wonderment in where I've been holing myself up.

I couldn't help but exclaim -- privately and to the people I am closest on the squad -- how things have changed for the team and it clearly isn't what it once was.

The upcoming Stankovic Cup will be the last for longtime members RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra. Rabeh Al-Hussaini, who also won't be joining them for the trip, will also be joining the two in the upcoming PBA Draft at the end of this month.

Some people have asked why can't Rabs, Greg Slaughter, Al Ramos, and JR Cawaling join the team. The deal with the schools has always been, you can have them in the second sem until the summer but any other time, they are back in their mother teams and in class. That happened last year when the team made the trip to Japan. Calls were made but the Letran boys were not allowed. FEU didn't want but Mr. Anton Montinola said the request for the players' was until the end of May so they still went.

How else has the team changed from the very first time this team was introduced and I came on board?

The leadership at the top. It's now fractured with sides split on many things. And there are new faces on the team and there will be a few more in a few weeks.

Talking to the boys, there was a bit of sadness. It's been quite a journey. But of course, the mission of trying to make the London Olympics is still there.

In the customary pre-practice huddle where the coach talks outlines what they need to do for the day and other important matters, Toroman spoke of having come all this way and undergoing so many trials. "This is the time to prove what we are worth," he underscored (not necessarily referring to the Stankovic Cup of which they are undermanned). 

The team is going in with a lean crew. Most of the staff will stay behind (budget concerns). It sure was fun helping and offering suggestions on room assignments for the players. 

Seeing Asi Taulava (a long time favorite of mine) join Smart Gilas for the third day was a revelation. He did not join them by happenstance. And to see him with the team -- it changes the dynamic. He is a great locker room presence. Something this team sorely needs after their recent problems. He has been doing some teaching as well for the bigs of Gilas and hams it up all the time with the team's funny guys and voices like Mac Baracael and Rabs. I think that credit also has to go to Chris Lutz for also assimilating himself well especially with the homegrown talents. It's a shame that he won't join them for the Stankovic Cup.

They aren't sure yet if Asi will join then even for Stankovic but he sure looks happy and excited to be there. If you ask me, he is a fit. His addition to the team, as I noted to team manager Butch Antonio, will tear down the walls between the PBA and this team (especially after the nationals' stint in the last PBA conference). You will see maybe one or two more join this squad soon. 

Just to clear things, even at the earliest formation of Smart Gilas, Toroman wished he could have some of the PBA players. I even wrote that as far back as the team's launch at Promenade two years ago. Team manager Frankie Lim, in a discussion about the team a week ago, believes that the final composition of Smart Gilas will be the best of its current crew backed up by some pros.

I came on board because I thought that this was a great story. And it still is. I thought that Smart Gilas also served as my introduction to following in earnest other teams outside my alma mater's. I still speak at great length on a variety of topics and issues with the players. They still regularly ask for advice on some stuff that I am only too glad to dispense with. I think that has carried on to the NCAA and UAAP. Say for example last weekend's match between UE and UP. On one hand, I am happy for UE that they finally got their first win. At the same time, I feel bad for UP. I've got friends both on the staff and on the team. I always have that pre-game talk with Magi Sison and Mark Lopez (since the time he joined the Maroons) and once in a while Woody Co. I thought that Smart Gilas made me appreciate other teams so I began to write more about them.

But Gilas... when all this is said and done, then what happened can finally be written about.


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Good luck in the Stankovic Cup, Smart Gilas!!!