INQUIRER Sports

A POWER FORWARD WITH intimidating size and strength.

These are the main assets that Darian Townes, a 6-foot-10, 255-pound banger out of University of Arkansas, wants to bring to the Smart Gilas national team.

Townes arrived Wednesday night to try out for the slot vacated by former naturalization candidate Jamal Sampson.

An undrafted 2008 NBA prospect, Townes hopes to land the job following a brief stint for the Utah Flash in the US National Basketball Developmental League.

Smart Gilas assistant coach Allan Gregorio said the tryout for Townes, who was brought in by San Beda basketball consultant Ed Cordero, was scheduled last night at the Meralco gym.

Townes tallied impressive figures of 10 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks in 132 games in four seasons (2004-08) with the Razorbacks in the US NCAA. He made 54.2 percent of his shots.