PHI - No Alapag or Williams for Smart Gilas

MANILA (22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup) - Smart Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman has to make do without PBA stars Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams for the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup after the duo’s PBA franchise Talk N Text sought to keep them in “rest mode”.

The duo had spearheaded the Chot Reyes-coached franchise to success in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in a draining Finals against Ginebra Kings which ended only last Sunday.

“That’s (rest) more important. Besides, it will be hard for them to play with the other players with just little time of preparation,” Toroman was quoted as saying.

Alapag and Williams had earlier been named as part of a PBA quartet to shore up Smart Gilas, who are looking for an impressive showing at home, as part of their preparations for the 26th FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan later this year.

Asi Taulava of Meralco Bolts and Dondon Hontiveros of Air21 Express have however started training with Smart Gilas.

“Hontiveros is a great player, both good in defense and offense, and has a great personality. Taulava will be a good back up for Douthit,” Toroman said in an interview with FIBA Asia earlier this week.

FIBA Asia