Asian jinx could end for Philippine squad

WUHAN, CHINA—Smart Gilas Pilipinas could break a jinx that has spanned more than two decades with a quarterfinal victory in the Fiba Asia Championship.

And with Chinese Taipei looming as the opponent, the Nationals’ chances are as bright as sunshine.

The Filipinos had defeated the Taiwanese four in a row, three of them on the latter’s turf, since last year’s William Jones Cup in Taipei.

The wins included one in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and two in the Jones Cup last month where Smart Gilas nailed a third-place finish at the expense of the Taiwanese.

This time, a win over Chinese Taipei in the quarters will boost Smart Gilas into the semifinals and a crack at a medal finish, which the national team achieved last in the 1986 edition, when the Philippine squad won it all.

But Philippine coach Rajko Toroman is looking at the looming quarterfinal clash opposite Chinese Taipei on Friday with apprehension.

“They have good shooters and we cannot be complacent,” said Toroman after repulsing Japan, 83-76.

Japan (3-1) still has a slim chance of getting into the knockout stages with a higher ranking but it has to get past host China (4-0) at the Wuhan Gymnasium late last night.

Meanwhile, Kerby Raymundo has signed a two-year contract worth P9.24 million with B-Meg Derby Ace, team governor Rene Pardo announced Tuesday night.

Pardo, who arrived here with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud and several PBA board members, said the 6-foot-5 Raymundo was the first beneficiary of the pro league’s salary adjustment scheme.

Raymundo will receive a monthly compensation of P350,000 this year and the maximum take of P420,000 the following season.