HUNT ENDS SOON, HOPEFULLY

Team Pilipinas gambles anew on American cage prospects

By Julius Manicad

02/23/2010

Whatever happens, Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas will fly to Doha, Qatar for the 2010 Fiba Asia Champions Cup with an able American import.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala yesterday announced that the scouting trip made by SBP project director Rajko Toroman in the United States finally bore fruit, ending weeks of anxiety, confusion and speculation brought by the possible lack of an import who would be willing to have himself naturalized as a Filipino.

From the initial list of five, Toroman trimmed down his choices to only two; former UCLA star Michael Fey and NBA journeyman Dwayne Jones.

A legitimate seven-footer who also saw action for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA pre-season, Fey appears to have an edge after impressing Toroman with his polished game on both ends of the floor. Though averaging only 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 55 percent as a junior for the Bruins in the 2006 NCAA season, he could be a pillar of strength underneath for Gilas, whose tallest player, 6-foot-11 Gregory Slaughter, has yet to blossom into a legitimate defensive threat.

Jones, meanwhile, could also be a good choice.

After helping St. Joseph’s University in its undefeated run in the 2004 NCAA season together with Jameer Nelson, Delonte West and Matt Caroll, the 6-foot-11, defensive-minded Jones was signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Bobcats.

The only drawback, however, is his “unimpressive” overseas reputation in which he has this habit of leaving his team down the stretch, like when he suited up for the Serbian Red Star Belgrade last year.

Eala said others who were also considered were Courtney Sims, Kurt Lody, Gabriel Hughes and former PBA reinforcement Earl Barron, who already turned down his chance to return for another tour of duty.

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