BalotSports.info

MANILA, Philippines - Highly touted forward Japeth Aguilar is out of danger after being hospitalized for dengue but will not be able to rejoin Smart-Gilas when the national team resumes practice tomorrow afternoon at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights.

SBP executive director Noli Eala said yesterday it will take at least two weeks for Aguilar to regain his strength and get back on the floor. He is booked to leave with Serbian coach Rajko Toroman’s team on Jan. 7 to start a Middle East tour that will begin in Doha, move to Kuwait and end in Dubai.

Aguilar, 22, fell ill during Gilas’ recent two-day team-building exercise in Tagaytay and was confined at the Makati Medical Center for four days before his discharge last Thursday.

Gilas’ naturalization candidate Jamal Sampson, meanwhile, arrives on Jan. 3 after taking a two-week leave in the US. The five-year NBA veteran was a disappointment in his PBA Philippine Cup debut, scoring only four points, as he struggled with a back problem. But Sampson promised Toroman he’ll be ready to play when he returns.

“Jamal told coach Rajko to reserve his comments until Jan. 6, his personal deadline for getting back in playing shape,” said Eala. “He has been impressive at practice but was bothered by his back when we played Barako Bull. We’re looking forward to Jamal anchoring our team in the middle, playing like we know he can.”


Jamal’s best friend Chris Childress spent the holidays in Manila and is in town awaiting his arrival. Childress, an NBA D-League veteran whose brother Josh opted out of the NBA to play in Europe, practices with Gilas. He said Sampson got engaged with his girlfriend during his two-week leave.

Toroman said Sampson is about 10 games away from regaining his NBA form. “He’s been out of competitive play for about 10 months,” noted Toroman. “Jamal played a few games for Golden State in the offseason but didn’t get major minutes. He was in China for a tryout camp and the league hadn’t started yet. In fact, the Chinese league started only about a week ago. He went to Manila with Chris from China and started working out again. I don’t think his back will be a major problem and I expect Jamal to be 100 percent after our Middle East tour.”

Gilas is scheduled to play two games against the Qatar national team in Doha and two games against the Kuwait national team in Kuwait then will play in the Dubai invitationals on Jan. 14-23.

Eala said California State at Fullerton guard Marcio Lassiter, a Fil-Am who was recently picked first overall by Magnolia in the PBL draft, will join Gilas for the Middle East swing.

Lassiter, 22, attended the Gilas tryouts in Las Vegas last May. His adviser Loy Allado is negotiating a contract with Gilas. The 6-2, 185-pound Lassiter played two years at Fullerton, averaging 8.9 points as a senior this past season. A kinesiology major, Lassiter tied his collegiate career high of 17 points in Fullerton’s 91-87 win over California State at Northridge. His mother Alexandria Eshabarr is Filipina.

“Marcio has played in four of our practices,” said Toroman. “He’s the most athletic player in our team. It won’t be a problem for Marcio to play two or three at the Asian level. He can jump, shoot and defend. I think he’s an animal on the court. He moves around like a cat. He has broad shoulders and a solid body. He’ll be a great addition to our team.”

Eala said Gilas will bring 15 players for the Middle East tour. They are Sampson, Aguilar, Lassiter, Chris Tiu, Mac Baracael, Dylan Ababou, Greg Slaughter, J. R. Cawaling, R. J. Jazul, Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos, Rabeh Al Hussaini, Magi Sison, Jason Ballesteros and Jayvee Casio. Staying behind are Ryan Buenafe, who has commitments in school, and Rey Guevara who is recovering from knee surgery.

“The Dubai tournament will be tough,” said Toroman. “We’ll be up against nine big teams. I think it’s a good test for us. I don’t know how many games we’ll win but we’ll be there fighting. It’s an excellent tournament for us to gain experience.”

Toroman said Tiu, the team captain, continues to play a major role for Gilas.

“Dylan was our most improved player last year and this year, it’s Mac but Chris has been our most consistent leader throughout,” added Toroman. “Chris is my No. 1 assistant coach. He and Jayvee explain to the rest of the guys what we need to do on the court, what I want to execute. I think Chris is playing the best basketball in his life now. When we beat San Miguel in the PBA, Chris had 24 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. He’s the leader of our team and a great positive influence.”

Eala said the exposure in Gilas has raised the level of play of every recruit in the national team.

“Take Baracael, for instance,” said Eala. “If he had turned pro this year, maybe, he would’ve been picked somewhere in the second round. But now, he’ll probably be one of the top three picks if he joins the draft. We’re giving the best collegiate players a chance to improve their skills. This is their ticket to a long career. They’re beginning to realize that if they turn pro too early, they might just end up riding the bench and having short careers. Just look at some of the rookies in the PBA this season. Most of them are not being given the opportunity to develop because of the pressure to win so the veterans always end up getting the major minutes. Even Rico Maierhofer, who had a strong start, is starting to taper off.”