Smart Gilas news from SEABA

JAKARTA – Smart Gilas Pilipinas will skip its training in Europe next month and instead play a series of pocket tournaments in Manila in preparation for the FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China on Sept. 15-25.

Smart Gilas Rajko Toroman said injuries to some of the players and the ongoing stint in the pro league of the PBA stars loaned to the national team made them rethink their itinerary going to the Asian championship, the qualifying meet to the 2012 London Olympics.

Marcio Lassiter returned to Manila yesterday to determine the extent of his back problems after the 6-foot-2 shooting guard collapsed during the team's practice here on Wednesday.

Physical therapist Albert Rolle said initial treatment showed that Lassiter is suffering from an acute lower back injury that could sideline him for at least two weeks.

``Marcio is one of our main players. But we have to win the championship even without him,'' said Toroman, whose team is playing host Indonesia at presstime.

Smart Gilas defeated Malaysia on Thursday and will need a victory against the Indonesians to make its entry in the Asian championship official. Three tickets to Wuhan are at stake in this tournament.

The Nationals are supposed to train in Lisbon, Portugal and Istanbul, Turkey against European club teams before going to the William Jones Cup in Taipei on Aug. 6-14 and the Asian championships.

"We'll probably play an NBA selection but I don't know the composition of the team,'' said Toroman.

A source said team officials are coordinating with former NBA All-Star Chris Webber to bring NBA MVP Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, scoring champion Kevin Durant of Oklahoma Thunder and rookie of the year Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers, among others.

Also mentioned to play against Smart Gilas in a couple of exhibition games tentatively set on July 15-17 were Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, Miami's Mario Chalmers and Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings.