MANILA — For coach Rajko Toroman, losing is never an option. Even against the world’s leading basketball idols in a friendly encounter.
Toroman promised the same all-out Smart Gilas national team show in its dream matchup opposite the future Hall of Famers of the NBA in the second half of the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend today at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Some of these guys are from another planet but we’ll give them a hard time,” said Toroman during yesterday’s media briefing at the Edsa Shangri-la hotel.
Courageous words yet unwise to assert on NBA stars Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers, reigning MVP Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, scoring champion Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma Thunder, and star point guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.
Derek Fisher of the Lakers, Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, JaVale McGee of the Washington Wizards, James Harden of the Thunder and rookie Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves—complementary pieces in the nine-man stellar NBA lineup—could also add to the PH five’s frustrations.
But Toroman, who vowed to squeeze the best from the Nationals preparing for the Fiba Asia Championship in September, remains undaunted.
“We’ll not change anything. Full-court press, push the ball, play the system and do other things we feel could make us better on the floor,” said Toroman. “In my mind, I want to win.”
Smart Gilas has been reinforced by PBA players Asi Taulava of Meralco, Dondon Hontiveros of Air21 and Talk ‘N Text’s Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Ranidel De Ocampo, who were hand-picked by the Serbian coach.
Except for De Ocampo who broke his nose in practice, Toroman said they would come in full force but declined to divulge player combinations and his starting unit.
A selection of the best-performing PBA players were gathered to mix it up with the NBA stars last night at the Big Dome.
The Nationals were supposed to play a series of tuneup games in Portugal and Turkey this month but was scrapped in favor of the surreal NBA matchup.
“To be honest, it’s more exciting to watch them than play against them,” said Toroman.
Smart Gilas is also bringing along its trusted roster of team captain Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou, Jason Ballesteros and naturalized center Marcus Douthit.