MANILA, Philippines — Serbian coach Rajko Toroman will return home next week, his future with Smart-Gilas Pilipinas still uncertain.
Before his departure, Toroman is set to meet with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan who has pledged to continue the program until the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championship.
“Ang plano ni Rajko is to go back to Serbia to rest. Sabi ko go ahead,” Pangilinan said. “Gusto niya makipag-usap before he leaves for Serbia, pag-usapan namin what went right, what went wrong with program.”
“But you should take a rest, I told him. Para luminaw ang kanyang pananaw and on my side also, gusto ko rin pag-isipan what went right, what went wrong. So tignan natin. Wala pa namang decision one way or the other,” added Pangilinan.
Toroman, who steered Iran to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was tapped in 2009 to handle the country’s bid to qualify in the 2012 Olympics.
But Gilas lost to Jordan in the semifinals and bowed to South Korea in the battle for the bronze medal in the just-ended FIBA-Asia event, a qualifying event for London.
From the original batch of amateurs tapped to compose the team, only eight got to play in FIBA-Asia as Toroman decided to reinforce the squad with PBA players Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag.
Williams, Alapag and de Ocampo joined the team just a few weeks before the event as Toroman tried to address the team’s weaknesses.
Still, Gilas’ semifinal finish was the country’s best finish since Northern Consolidated won the event in 1986.
Toroman’s contract with SBP expires on Friday, Sept. 30.
Since Pangilinan did not touch on the possibility of a contract extension, talks are rife that someone else would take Toroman’s place.
Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes looms as the strongest candidate, having served as one of Toroman’s assistants in the FIBA-Asia event.
Few have given Toroman credit for bringing Gilas to the semifinals and improving the country’s FIBA ranking from No. 53 to No. 45.
Ironically, the most glowing tribute came from Tabs Baldwin, the American coach of runner-up Jordan who credited the Philippines’ rise to Toroman’s system.
“He’s (Toroman) one of the most experienced coaches in this tournament, one of the greatest guys in this tournament,” said Baldwin whose team lost to China in the final by a single point. “His history in big tournaments goes back 20 years.”
“Their (PH) team was very inexperienced, but he’s very experienced. He’s the big reason, maybe the biggest reason they got as far as they did. My respect for him and for what he has done for that team over the last few years. It’s remarkable.”
“I don’t worry about him in his career. He is beloved in Europe. He is wanted in Europe and Asia. I’d like to see him get everything he wants in his career because he deserves it,” added Baldwin.
Before his departure, Toroman is set to meet with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan who has pledged to continue the program until the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championship.
“Ang plano ni Rajko is to go back to Serbia to rest. Sabi ko go ahead,” Pangilinan said. “Gusto niya makipag-usap before he leaves for Serbia, pag-usapan namin what went right, what went wrong with program.”
“But you should take a rest, I told him. Para luminaw ang kanyang pananaw and on my side also, gusto ko rin pag-isipan what went right, what went wrong. So tignan natin. Wala pa namang decision one way or the other,” added Pangilinan.
Toroman, who steered Iran to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was tapped in 2009 to handle the country’s bid to qualify in the 2012 Olympics.
But Gilas lost to Jordan in the semifinals and bowed to South Korea in the battle for the bronze medal in the just-ended FIBA-Asia event, a qualifying event for London.
From the original batch of amateurs tapped to compose the team, only eight got to play in FIBA-Asia as Toroman decided to reinforce the squad with PBA players Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag.
Williams, Alapag and de Ocampo joined the team just a few weeks before the event as Toroman tried to address the team’s weaknesses.
Still, Gilas’ semifinal finish was the country’s best finish since Northern Consolidated won the event in 1986.
Toroman’s contract with SBP expires on Friday, Sept. 30.
Since Pangilinan did not touch on the possibility of a contract extension, talks are rife that someone else would take Toroman’s place.
Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes looms as the strongest candidate, having served as one of Toroman’s assistants in the FIBA-Asia event.
Few have given Toroman credit for bringing Gilas to the semifinals and improving the country’s FIBA ranking from No. 53 to No. 45.
Ironically, the most glowing tribute came from Tabs Baldwin, the American coach of runner-up Jordan who credited the Philippines’ rise to Toroman’s system.
“He’s (Toroman) one of the most experienced coaches in this tournament, one of the greatest guys in this tournament,” said Baldwin whose team lost to China in the final by a single point. “His history in big tournaments goes back 20 years.”
“Their (PH) team was very inexperienced, but he’s very experienced. He’s the big reason, maybe the biggest reason they got as far as they did. My respect for him and for what he has done for that team over the last few years. It’s remarkable.”
“I don’t worry about him in his career. He is beloved in Europe. He is wanted in Europe and Asia. I’d like to see him get everything he wants in his career because he deserves it,” added Baldwin.