INQUIRER Sports

C.J. GILES PACKED HIS THINGS ON Monday and left for the United States. Chances are, the 6-foot-11 former Los Angeles Laker won?t be back.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala confirmed yesterday that Giles?whose naturalization was being arranged to allow him to play for the national team?had been removed from the Smart Gilas developmental squad for failing to meet expectations.

?After a long and thorough evaluation of CJ?s performance in the last month, we decided to pre-terminate his contract and cut him from Smart Gilas,? said Eala.

Giles, who missed last Friday?s game against Sta. Lucia Realty due to a foot injury, signed a one-year contract with Smart Gilas that includes perks such as free housing, a car and bonuses.

?The coaching staff felt that he underperformed in his final month due to lack of focus and various injuries,? said Eala.

Giles? presence in the team no longer had a ?positive influence? on his teammates and coaches, Eala added.

A team insider claimed that Giles had an active nightlife.

?Those injuries were triggered by lack of rest and focus,? the source told the Inquirer.

The acquisition of Giles provided Smart Gilas with a steady presence in the paint. Sinewy but gifted with elongated limbs, Giles is an efficient shot-blocker and reliable rebounder and scores most of his points above the rim.

Team officials said the talented American is not the type the SBP would gladly help to obtain Filipino citizenship so he could play for the national team preparing for the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship, the qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

?We believe that CJ may not possess some of the qualities that we are looking for in the player who will be bestowed citizenship by naturalization,? said Eala.

?Only those truly deserving should be given the privilege and honor to play as a naturalized player for the country.?

Giles played as an import for Smart Gilas during the Fiba Asia Champions Cup in which RP finished fifth behind Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar.

So dominant was Giles in that tournament the Smart Gilas coaching staff, led by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, did not think twice to hire him.

Injuries and the plight of a sick daughter back home, however, prevented Giles from focusing on Smart Gilas? stint in the KFC-PBA RP Cup where it is playing as a guest squad.