Smart Gilas scores first win over UAE; loses Lassiter and Lutz

Today's much awaited first game in the FIBA Asia London Olympic qualifiers came with unsettling news that prized Fil-Am guards Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz were declared ineligible to play due to their "questionable" citizenships.

This latest development forced Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman to play a tighter rotation in the game against the United Arab Emirates. Fortunately, the duo's absence was not felt owing to the added PBA firepower (which could've been a lot more formidable had Dondon Hontiveros stayed on board OR another shooting guard was added to the Gilas mix) and discrepancy in overall skill between the two teams.

From the outside looking in, you can't help but conclude that the Philippine team is being set-up to fail. It's not as if this is Lutz and Lassiter's first time to play in a FIBA tournament, and even former Smart Gilas/ Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chief Noli Eala has come to the team's defense saying that they have finished/ completed/ provided all the necessary papers needed in the last three years or so.

That being said,  today's game should be taken as a good sign as the team obviously played with a lot to prove. You can't really dig into it that much since they were facing a so-so opponent, but I appreciate the fact that we were basically scoring from all angles with the guys on the floor.

Jimmy Alapag looked healthier out there, and JVee Casio didn't show signs of the injury he suffered the last time out. Having Mark Barroca on the roster also allowed Toroman to slide Casio to his natural SG spot where he was pretty much cherry-picking on offense.

Should Casio and Alapag continue to play at a limited capacity, then there's no reason why Barroca shouldn't be playing more for Smart Gilas-- as a starter even.

At the guard spot, Chris Tiu played with the all-out hustle we've all grown to appreciate despite his limited lateral movement and offensive skills. I worry about this position though, since Tiu's bound to get burned by the second round and Casio's injury won't heal overnight. I wouldn't be surprised if Mac Baracael slides down to this position when called upon at some point if Lassiter and Lutz continue to sit.

The frontline is arguably the best we've seen from a Philippine basketball team in a long time. Mac Baracael, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Marcus Douthit all took turns in dominating the glass and scoring at will. Williams made up for his shortcomings on offense by providing the interior, defensive muscle Smart Gilas has been missing. De Ocampo will probably take some time adjusting the most against international competition since he has always been hesitant with the basketball while Baracael is arguably the team's multi-purpose, Swiss army knife who is smart, strong and quick enough to  play at least four positions.

Japeth Aguilar was... well... he's still the best dunker out there and will probably have a break out game or two against inferior teams. I'm hoping though that he shows that Kevin Garnett-ish form we saw glimpses of in the last tournament they played in tomorrow when matched up against China's Yi Jian Lian.

Oh, wait, Dylan Ababou's on the roster? Could've fooled me.

Can this team beat China?

I honestly believe it can if it continues with its fast-paced yet still disciplined attack.

Can this team beat Iran?

No. That team has big guards who can run with our speedsters and a 7"2 monster in the paint.

Still, there's no shame in trying or hoping for a miracle now is there?