Former Philippine team coach Rajko Toroman believes a well-prepared Gilas Pilipinas, backed by a massive support from its hometown crowd this August will be huge ingredients to a strong showing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila.
With the top performing Asian team in the world basketball showpiece earning an automatic berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 68-year-old Toroman knows Gilas will get the much-needed energy from rabid Filipino basketball fans, who are expected to pack the playing venue during the World Cup.
"China is coming back, they put Sasa (Aleksandar) Dordevic, who brought the silver medal to the Serbian national team (in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics). And you always have Japan there so it will be tough (for Gilas), but there is a big chance (because) first of all, they play at home, and that's a big advantage with the crowd, with what they have in Manila," explained Toroman during his guest appearance last Saturday at former PBA commissioner and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala's sports program Power and Play.
The straight-talking Serbian coach believes seeing action in Manila gives Gilas Pilipinas an added "25 percent" chance of playing better because of the strong local crowd support.
Toroman personally experienced how it feels to be in an arena filled with passionate Filipino basketball fans.
In fact, as far back as the days when he first coached the original Smart Gilas team in 2009, Toroman, who now handles Al-Muharraq in Bahrain, said playing in front of Pinoy fans is always special.
And in the same sports program, Toroman mentioned that one thing he misses in the Philippines is the warm basketball atmosphere in the arena.
"(I miss the) atmosphere there (in Manila). The personal (relationships with) Filipino players, even now, when I go to Starbucks, there's a lot of Filipinos there who recognize me and talk about Gilas," shared Toroman, who was credited for Indonesia's huge upset on the Philippines en route to winning the 2022 Southeast Asian Games men's basketball gold medal in Hanoi.
"It's always very nice and I'm pleased to hear (encouraging compliments), knowing you did something good for these (Filipino) people. In basketball, it makes you very proud of what I did in the Philippines," he added.
Toroman believes the next few months will be crucial as Gilas coach Chot Reyes decides which between Justin Brownlee and Jordan Clarkson will be the national team's naturalized player.
The veteran international coach said there's no question that both Philippine naturalized players have the individual talents that can benefit Gilas. But who between the two best fits Reyes' system will always be the question.
"That's a big question. Jordan Clarkson is a high-level player, but how he will fit the team (is a question). If you put him in, you will lose some other players (who play the same position). Justin, if you put him there, (under) the system of coach, the way they play will be much better than with Jordan," he said.
"Jordan Clarkson will make some individual efforts, some numbers, but the big question is, will it be enough. (We know) he's a great player in the competition and one of best in the world, but if you are looking for system, to use all players and what you have, Justin Brownlee has some advantage in that way, so now, it's up to the coach to decide, if he will make the system and produce result," added Toroman.
Gilas, which regained the SEA Games men's gold over a week ago in Cambodia, will resume practice on June 7. The national pool, which Reyes said is pegged at 18 or 19 players, will leave some time next month for a series of scrimmages games against Estonia, Finland and the Lithuania under-21 team as part of Gilas' preparation for the FIBA World Cup, which begins on August 25.
Toroman: Home crowd gives Gilas 'big advantage' in FIBA World Cup - The Manila Times
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