Asi, Dondon boost Gilas; SK likely to join Fiba tilt

SOUTH KOREA is being eyed to take Japan’s spot in the Fiba Asia Champions Cup from May 28 to June 5 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Aboy Castro, head of the local organizing committee, yesterday told the weekly PSA Forum that they have already sent an invitation to the Koreans, who have until Friday to confirm their participation.

Korea will be grouped with the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team, along with Malaysia, Jordan and India, which replaced Kazakhstan which begged off due to financial reasons, Castro said at the forum sponsored by Shakey’s, Smart, Outlast Battery, Accel and Pagcor.

Considered the tougher of the two brackets, Group B will have Iran, Syria, Qatar, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.

Castro also confirmed the inclusion of battle-tested veterans Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros to the Smart Gilas lineup in the foremost event for Asia’s top basketball clubs.

But Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams will likely miss the tournament since it comes just weeks after the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

With Taulava and Hontiveros, who will both bring with them a wealth of experience in international play, Castro talked up Smart Gilas’ chances in the tournament.

The Nationals, which reached the semifinals of the Commissioner’s Cup, resumed practices this week.

“We have an even better team because of Asi and Dondon,” said Castro. “The team is exuding confidence right now. Winning the tournament will be a milestone for them.”

Castro said Smart Gilas will play its first game at 6 p.m. on May 28 against a still undetermined foe. The Nationals are using the tournament to toughen up for the Fiba-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, in September.