Smart Gilas departs for Doha joust today

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas hopes to improve on their fifth place finish against a high-powered field as it leaves today for the import-laden 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup slated May 22-30 in Doha, Qatar.

The Filipinos will have a bye in Saturdays opening bill but are expected to have their hands full when they take on the host Qataris beefed up by Africans and American imports on Sunday.

“We’re ready for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar,” said Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu.

After Qatar, Smart Gilas takes on Kazakhstan Monday, defending champion Iran Tuesday and Iraq the next day, completing its Group A assignment.

Group B is composed of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

The Nationals will bring in Filipino-American Chris Lutz, who suited up for the team in yesterday’s exhibition game against the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

“He (Lutz) will be with Smart Gilas in Doha,” said team manager Frankie Lim.

The 6-4 Lutz, who averaged 8.7 points including an impressive .421 shooting clip from behind the arc, 1.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a steal a game for the Marshall U Thundering Herd in the recently concluded NCAA season, should be a big boost to the team depleted by the loss of JV Casio and Fil-Am Marcio Lassiter to injuries.

Casio, the best guard in last January’s Dubai Invitational where the Filipinos finished third, tore an MCL in Serbia while Lassiter hurt his knee in an exhibition game in San Diego, California.