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MANILA, Philippines – Six-foot-six forward Ranidel de Ocampo is finally wearing the national jersey after being relegated as reserve in the last two FIBA Asia championships. The St. Francis of Assisi College product is tipped to play significant role at forward spot, being included in coach Rajko Toroman’s old main core of Marcus Douthit, Japeth Aguilar, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Chris Tiu, Jayvee Casio and Mark Barroca. Other PBA reinforcements Kelly Williams, Asi Taulava and Jimmy Alapag should have their spots, leaving Jason Ballesteros and Dylan Ababou as the likely reserves of the Phl team for the 26th FIBA Asia championship set to start Thursday in Wuhan, China. Toroman said they would decide on their final 12 before the team managers’ meeting tomorrow. The Serbian mentor has been saying Douthit, Williams and De Ocampo would play key roles in the team’s scheme of things. And whoever fill the roster, Toroman and his staff believe they would have a fighting team that can have a shot at the medal round of the biennial meet serving as the regional qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics. Before leaving for Wuhan this morning, Toroman maintained making the medal round is a realistic goal. "The competition is strong and we’re not 100 percent ready but we can make the semis,” said Toroman. "We have injury problems and the PBA players are making adjustments. I think we’ll pick up our rhythm towards the second stage of the tournament,” Toroman added. Toroman is hopeful they would win at least two matches in the first round then another two in the second to safely make the knockout stage. The amiable Smart Gilas chief tactician said they would need to avoid being the No. 4 team from their bracket to avoid a quarterfinals match-up with Iran. "Iran is by far the biggest favorite in the tournament. They’re likely to top their bracket and it’s difficult to play them (in the quarters),” said Toroman. "I think they are coming with their strongest team ever with Arsalan Kazem, Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, Mehdi Kamrani, Hamed Afagh and Hamed Hadaddi. Haddadi is playing the best basketball of his life,” Toroman added. Toroman thought it’s easier to play the Chinese whom he believed is not in best shape. Smart Gilas has China, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as first-round assignments. "We’ll go for at least two wins in the first round. But the important thing is the second round since it’s the positioning for the quarterfinals,” said Toroman. Despite losing to Iran in the last FIBA Asia championship, China remains the No. 1 in the Asian rankings. The UAE and Bahrain are both ranked behind the Philippines with the former placing 12th in the last tourney and the latter being idle from Asian events for over a decade now. | |
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