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PBA renders RP-Smart Gilas Games as no-bearing
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
THE Philippine Basketball Association yesterday decided to alter the arrangement of Smart-Gilas’ participation in the KFC-
Philippine Cup, electing to render all games of the Nationals – both past and future — as no-bearing.
Commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios bared the new set-up yesterday after hearing complaints from governors over the
unpredictable playing minutes of big man CJ Giles, the observations from a former national coach and the remarks from
players alike.
Giles, the man being groomed for naturalization to backstop the RP team in its quest to qualify for the London Olympics in
2012, saw action for merely 5 minutes on Oct. 21 in Smart-Gilas’ last game against Talk ‘N Text, which romped off with a
lopsided 103-70 victory.
Governors immediately questioned the move by coach Rajko Toroman the following day, wondering why the Serbian mentor
benched his intimidating force inside against the Tropang Texters, whose owner, Manny V. Pangilinan, is also the chairman
of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, the governing body for amateur basketball that bankrolls the RP Team.
At first, the PBA Board gave Barrios two directives to choose from: First, for Smart-Gilas games to have no bearing even on
PBA teams, and; Second, for Smart Gilas not to play CJ Giles anymore in its remaining games.
Barrios decided to pick the first option.
“We recognize that CJ Giles is a very vital part of the national team, the reason why he is considered as a candidate for
naturalization for Filipino citizen.
“He is seen as the “good big man” the country sorely lacks to be able to compete with the powerhouse teams in Asia today.
It will not help the team’s cause if Giles is not allowed to play with the team,” Barrios said.
Barrios likewise took into account the observation of Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, the national coach when the PBA
competed in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
Following Ginebra’s 100-72 win against Smart Gilas, Uichico was quoted as saying: “It is unfortunate that the PBA teams
play the national team always looking to win.”
“The best way to help the RP team is to take away the ‘we have to win attitude’ and give the PBA teams the opportunity to
simulate the patterns of the clubs that RP Team will be facing in international tournaments,” Uichico added.
The PBA also arrived at a common thought that since games before by Smart-Gilas had effect on the win-loss standings of
the PBA teams, the level of intensity against the Nationals have been at a level that results in physicality and ruggedness.
That was the clear case when the Nationals met Burger King last Oct. 16, the unforgettable match-up that led to the
infamous mauling by Wynne Arboleda on a court-side fan – Alain Katrigbac - and the four flagrant one fouls the Whoppers
committed in the first half.
Arboleda was subsequently banned for the rest of the season without pay and is now facing charges of physical injuries.
“Some players have pointed out that the different treatment almost always means a difference in the level of intensity that
may give rise to physical play and unwanted incidents,” Barrios said.
By this new decision, the games won by Talk ‘N Text, Burger King and Ginebra against the Nationals have been nullified.
The Texters and the Gin Kings now have similar 2-1 (win-loss) records with the Whoppers falling to 1-2.
“We are convinced that it is in everyone’s best interest if both teams go into the game with the same mindset that the game
has no bearing.
Both Smart Gilas and the PBA opposing team, and their players, will thus be on equal footing as far as their outlook and
approach of the game are concerned,” Barrios said.
Smart-Gilas, which has never yet won a game, sees action on Nov. 6 against the Coca-Cola Tigers.
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
THE Philippine Basketball Association yesterday decided to alter the arrangement of Smart-Gilas’ participation in the KFC-
Philippine Cup, electing to render all games of the Nationals – both past and future — as no-bearing.
Commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios bared the new set-up yesterday after hearing complaints from governors over the
unpredictable playing minutes of big man CJ Giles, the observations from a former national coach and the remarks from
players alike.
Giles, the man being groomed for naturalization to backstop the RP team in its quest to qualify for the London Olympics in
2012, saw action for merely 5 minutes on Oct. 21 in Smart-Gilas’ last game against Talk ‘N Text, which romped off with a
lopsided 103-70 victory.
Governors immediately questioned the move by coach Rajko Toroman the following day, wondering why the Serbian mentor
benched his intimidating force inside against the Tropang Texters, whose owner, Manny V. Pangilinan, is also the chairman
of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, the governing body for amateur basketball that bankrolls the RP Team.
At first, the PBA Board gave Barrios two directives to choose from: First, for Smart-Gilas games to have no bearing even on
PBA teams, and; Second, for Smart Gilas not to play CJ Giles anymore in its remaining games.
Barrios decided to pick the first option.
“We recognize that CJ Giles is a very vital part of the national team, the reason why he is considered as a candidate for
naturalization for Filipino citizen.
“He is seen as the “good big man” the country sorely lacks to be able to compete with the powerhouse teams in Asia today.
It will not help the team’s cause if Giles is not allowed to play with the team,” Barrios said.
Barrios likewise took into account the observation of Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, the national coach when the PBA
competed in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
Following Ginebra’s 100-72 win against Smart Gilas, Uichico was quoted as saying: “It is unfortunate that the PBA teams
play the national team always looking to win.”
“The best way to help the RP team is to take away the ‘we have to win attitude’ and give the PBA teams the opportunity to
simulate the patterns of the clubs that RP Team will be facing in international tournaments,” Uichico added.
The PBA also arrived at a common thought that since games before by Smart-Gilas had effect on the win-loss standings of
the PBA teams, the level of intensity against the Nationals have been at a level that results in physicality and ruggedness.
That was the clear case when the Nationals met Burger King last Oct. 16, the unforgettable match-up that led to the
infamous mauling by Wynne Arboleda on a court-side fan – Alain Katrigbac - and the four flagrant one fouls the Whoppers
committed in the first half.
Arboleda was subsequently banned for the rest of the season without pay and is now facing charges of physical injuries.
“Some players have pointed out that the different treatment almost always means a difference in the level of intensity that
may give rise to physical play and unwanted incidents,” Barrios said.
By this new decision, the games won by Talk ‘N Text, Burger King and Ginebra against the Nationals have been nullified.
The Texters and the Gin Kings now have similar 2-1 (win-loss) records with the Whoppers falling to 1-2.
“We are convinced that it is in everyone’s best interest if both teams go into the game with the same mindset that the game
has no bearing.
Both Smart Gilas and the PBA opposing team, and their players, will thus be on equal footing as far as their outlook and
approach of the game are concerned,” Barrios said.
Smart-Gilas, which has never yet won a game, sees action on Nov. 6 against the Coca-Cola Tigers.