Coach Rajko Toroman's Team Pilipinas wins First China-Asean CBO tournament

Oh yes! The recently formed Team Pilipinas led by Rajko Toroman showed its potential by beating China 76-72 in the First China-Asean CBO invitational tournament. The Philippine contingent is composed of amateurs and college standouts showed enough skill to beat a team which some handles in interbasket forum said was a professional team in China (Lin Ning). So far no updates yet from Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas website but here is an account from gameface.ph:

Philippines won 76-72 according to Sports radio.... According to the text, we we're in control, we led all throughout the game by as much as 15 pts. China tied the game at the end, but the pinoy ballers showed their heart and poise at the end game.

The game result is confirmed by Xinhua

The team is composed of:
FEU’s Mac Baracael, Mark Baroca and JR Cawaling
UE’s Marcy Arellano
UP’s Martin Reyes and Magi Sison,
San Beda College’s Ogie Menor
UST’s Dylan Ababou,
UV's6-foot-11 slotman Greg Slaughter
Oklahoma City’s Terrel Theophile
Joey Deas of Rockhurst University in Kansas

Great news indeed! Man, I think new breed of Filipino basketball players are more gutsy than their predecessors. This is just the beginning. In fact, this SBP Team Pilipinas' line up isn't the strongest yet as players from Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Ateneo and National Champion De La Salle aren't playing. The Team Pilipinas of the Future will only get stronger.

Terrence Gamble - Naturalized Player for Team Pilipinas?

Terrence Gamble
Position: Center
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260 lbs
College: Tarleton State University
Birthdate: September 25, 1983


This is the scouting report from tarletonsports.com:

2007-08
Showed promise as a big man underneath the basket... Has played organized basketball for only three seasons... Was a football star in high school...

2006-07
Started 18 of 28 games played, including the last 10 contests... Averaged 5.8 points and 5.5 rebounds as a junior... Had a .518 shooting percentage from the floor... Recorded two double-doubles, including a career-high 16 rebounds and 15 points against Texas-Permian Basin on Dec.. 18, 2006... Also scored 15 points against St. Mary’s (Dec. 29, 2006) and Texas A&M-Commerce (Jan. 4, 2007)... Also had 40 blocks, including four on three different occasions... Averaged 25:16 minutes per game...

Terrence Gamble is one of two players Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas is interested in including for the national team. Our national team needs a quick big man. No word yet on the other player. His appointment is not definite yet according to the news item from Manila Bulletin as Terence Gamble is to be evaluated by Coach Rajko Toroman and Toronto Raptor's Senior Director for Player Personnel Jim Kelly.

Gamble reportedly shattered a backboard in Mexico but it doesn't matter. Team Pilipinas needs a player that can jell with other national team players and can defend bigger guys like Yao Ming and Hadadi.

One glaring stat, Terrence Gamble averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds in his last year in college. In his third year just 5.8 rebounds! He is 6-11 but his rebounding skills is bad or he is lazy in fighting for the ball. Because of our players lack of height (makes one wonder why play this game where height is might) we need a rebounder and Gamble stats doesn't inspire confidence. His attitude however is different according to the Inquirer, he willing to be naturalized and play for our country. In addition, Terrence Gamble's age isn't a problem. He'll be 28 by 2011 Fiba-Asia Men's Championship.

Hopefully by tomorrow, we will know the other prospect so we could make an assessment on who should be included for Team Pilipinas. This is for fun of course as the final decision belongs to Coach Toroman. Other people take these things seriously. Get a life. I enjoy talking about basketball and will continue to do so.

If you want more of Terrence Gamble, here is his highlight video