(ASIAN GAMES) Kuwaitis rough, but nat’l cagers fine

GUANGZHOU—Other than Kuwait’s tendency to play rough, coach Rajko Toroman doesn’t see any other concern  that Smart Gilas-Pilipinas needs to deal with. “That’s how they play, rough,” said Toroman Friday on the eve of the national five’s knockout game against Kuwait to start the 16th Asian Games basketball competition. “We just have to bring our usual game and I guess we’ll be fine.” They should. A defeat for the Filipinos at the state-of-the-art Guangti Stadium here on opening day means booking a flight back to Manila as an early casualty of the Games. Toroman said the nationals will be coming in prepared and upbeat following a tuneup victory over the Dongguan Century Leopards on Thursday. Smart Gilas, however, bowed to the Guangdong Tigers, another respectable Chinese Basketball Association ballclub, the night before. Japeth Aguilar also sustained a knee injury during that match and is still under observation. “These tuneup games are important because it’s the first time the team played with a complete lineup,” said Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim. The twin exhibition matches allowed PBA stars Asi Taulava, Solomon Mercado and Kelly Williams to blend with the team in a real game. Toroman said the PBA players are now comfortable playing alongside Smart Gilas regulars Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, JV Casio, Greg Slaughter, Chris Lutz, Jason Ballesteros and Aguilar. “They (Kuwaitis) will play rough, they will even provoke us,” said Toroman.