INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philiippines - After taking the wrong step, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will now be careful not to slip again.

SBP executive director Noli Eala admitted Wednesday that cutting off CJ Giles, tapped by the federation as a candidate for Filipino citizenship, has interrupted the calendar of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team.

"This is definitely a delay in our timetable especially regarding naturalization,?? said Eala. "But we are still confident the program is still on track.??

Former NBA player Jamal Sampson tops the list of aspirants, which included Earl Barron and Shaun Pruitt, following the decision of the SBP to remove the 6-foot-11 Giles due to erratic behavior and injuries.

``We are trying to expedite although we are cautious not to commit the same mistakes as in CJ?s case,?? said Eala.

Made up of collegiate stars, the schedule of Gilas hit a snag that could somehow affect its preparations for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and the 2011 Fiba-Asia Championship where a lone slot to the 2012 London Olympics is up for grabs.

His one-year contract pre-terminated, Giles has reportedly hooked up with Sporting Al-Riyadi Beirut, a Lebanon-based club team defeated by Gilas in the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in Jakarta early this year.

"I?m happy for him. I never doubted that he will get to play again,?? said Eala. ``He?s a good talent that should not go to waste. I wish him all the best.??

Lebanese basketball officials in the ongoing Fiba-Asia U16 Championship in Johor Bahru, Malaysia confirmed the transfer, fanning speculations that Giles left Gilas on purpose.

"It?s possible but really, he?s no big loss. In fact, it could even be a blessing in disguise,?? said Eala.

Without divulging specifics, Lebanese officials reportedly confirmed that the contract of Giles with Al-Riyadi dwarfed the one-year pact worth P8.64 million signed by the former LA Lakers draftee with the SBP.

Giles will join one-time PBA import Nate Johnson, naturalized player Joe Vogel and hometown hero Fadi El-Khatib in the Lebanese Basketball League where Al-Riyadi has been a dominant force with 19 championships.
"It?s only a club team. I didn?t expect it to be too soon but I guess CJ needs a job,?? said Eala. "It?s no secret that Al-Riyadi would move heaven and earth to acquire the services of Giles."

The team had tried to recruit Giles during the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup along with spitfire Mark Barroca.

Now, rumors are rife that Giles is being groomed to beef up the Lebanese national squad already made formidable by playmaker Mahmoud Ali, forward Matt Freije, El-Khatib and the naturalization of Jackson Vroman.