INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Unlike his predecessors, Serbian coach Rajko Toroman is more concerned about the chemistry of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team than the team?s need for size.

"It?s a team game,?? said Toroman, Gilas RP coach and project director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

"So it?s really not a matter of size but the composition of your team.??

Toroman?s philosophy runs in conflict with the coaches who handled the national team in the past.

The RP team was on the lookout for seven-footers during the country?s preparations for the 2007 and 2009 Fiba-Asia Championship, which both ended in disaster.

After bringing in 6-foot-11 American CJ Giles as a possible naturalized player, Toroman said the Gilas frontline would be complete as soon as the squad acquires the 6-7 Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo and, if possible, 6-9 Junmar Fajardo from Cebu.

These players, along with 6-11 Greg Slaughter, 6-7 Aldrech Ramos and 6-7 Jason Ballesteros, would be enough for Gilas to mix it up in the paint with the other countries in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, added Toroman.

"We should compete as a team. Travel, eat and do everything in a Spartan-like atmosphere together,?? said Toroman.

"Discipline is very important to me on and off the court,?? he added.

Toroman is inclined to replicate the training program of Iran, the country he steered to the 2007 Fiba-Asia Championship crown and a breakthrough stint in the Olympics held in Beijing last year after a 60-year absence.

Toroman said Iran goes to practice twice a day straight for four months before a major tournament and has been together for two years.

"They (Iranians) play 35 international games a year against NBA teams and the best European teams,?? said Toroman.

"In the beginning, it will be painful. The team will lose several (international) games. But in the end, the results will speak for itself,?? he added.