GUANGZHOU — Despite a so-so debut for the Smart Gilas national developmental team Saturday night against Kuwait, head coach Rajko Toroman is confident his team will reach the quarterfinal stage of the 16th Asian Games basketball competition.
The PHL five labored in eking out a victory in their Group B preliminary match against the Kuwaitis, 76-69, to advance into the main draw that starts on Tuesday, as part of Group F.
“We didn’t play good while Kuwait surprised us and played much better than we expected," said Toroman of their hard-earned win at the Guangti Gymnasium.
“Now in the main draw, I think we can play better because this team needs time. But I strongly believe that we can go to the quarterfinals," he added.
The Serbian mentor said PBA players Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and Solomon Mercado are still adjusting to the team’s system. The national developmental squad only played with a complete lineup in two exhibition games prior to the start of the Asiad — against the Guandong Tigers and Dongguan Leopards, two clubs from the Chinese Basketball Association.
“The PBA players are not yet familiar with the system we are using and that is something we are working on," said Toroman.
The national developmental squad will have a two-day break before their highly-anticipated match against two-time FIBA Asia Champion titlist Iran, a squad previously handled by Toroman.
The Filipinos start their Group F matches at 9:15 p.m. at the Huangpu Gymnaisum on Tuesday.
“I know exactly how strong they are," said Toroman, who led Iran to its first Olympic Games stint in 2008 in Beijing.
“But I have not seen them for two days here. They said (Hamed) Haddadi won’t be playing while Samad Nikkah Bahrami is doubtul. We’ll never know until we play them," he added.
Aside from Iran, also in Group F are Qatar, Japan, Chinese Taipei and the winner between Afghanistan and India. Group E is composed of host China, South Korea, Jordan, North Korea, and the winner between Mongolia and Turkmenistan.
Only the top four teams from each group will advance to the crossover knockout quarterfinal stage starting on November 24. That’s why Toroman hopes that his players will treat each game as very important.
“It will be very difficult because everybody wants to win here," said Toroman.
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