SBP may keep only five Smart Gilas players

MANILA—Only five members of the current Smart Gilas team are likely to be retained in the national pool after the Fiba Asia Championship qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics in September.

However, a top official of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas told the Inquirer that the final decision will be made by businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan after a meeting following Game 5 last night of the ongoing PBA Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The five players recommended for retention were naturalized center Marcus Douthit, point guard JV Casio, shooting guard Chris Tiu and wingmen Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz.

The high-flying Japeth Aguilar, who apparently has had a testy relationship with coach Rajko Toroman, is not among the five mentioned although there is a possibility that the list could be amended after the meeting with Pangilinan.

Aguilar has been quoted as saying he wants to remain with Smart Gilas as long as Toroman remains as coach.

Lassiter and Lutz have applied for the PBA Annual Draft and there are indications that Casio who is getting on in years may also opt to move to the PBA.

Meanwhile, China lost another valuable piece in its Fiba Asia Championship campaign after shooting guard Wang Shipeng was sidelined with a wrist injury.

The 6-foot-6 Wang hurt his right wrist after an Australian cager landed on it during a friendly match in London.

Reports said Wang would need four to six weeks to recover, making
him doubtful for the Asian championship in Wuhan, China on Sept. 15-25. With a report from June Navarro