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Source: gmanews.tv

-- Losing all of their games in the ongoing KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup is not much of a concern for Smart-Gilas mentor Rajko Toroman.

For the 2007 FIBA Asia champion mentor, the biggest test awaits overseas when his troops compete in two tough tournaments in Amsterdam and Dubai in December and January next year.

“I have no problems with that," Toroman told GMANews.TV, referring to the league’s decision to count their first three games – where they were beaten convincingly by Burger King, Talk ‘N Text and Barangay Ginebrea – as no bearing. “But I felt the PBA will lose some of the exciting games."

The PBA board gave commissioner Sonny Barrios the authority of changing the rules after Smart-Gilas’ controversial 103-70 loss to Talk N Text.

Several board members went up in arms with the result, especially when CJ Giles only played for five minutes while Chris Tiu and Rabeh Al-Hussaini didn’t see action.

Smart-Gilas used import CJ Giles for only five minutes and Chris Tiu and Rabeh Al-Hussaini didn’t see action.

“The PBA is not our priority. Our priority is making the Olympics via our good showing in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship. The real test for us is the coming international tournaments," said Toroman, who steered Iran to the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship earning the country its first Olympic stint in basketball.

Smart-Gilas is set to leave after completing its 10-game schedule in the PBA.

First up for the RP developmental pool is the Haarlem basketball tournament in Amsterdam where they will compete against the national teams of Russia, the Netherlands, and the national and club champion squads of Brazil and South America.

The RP developmental team, which will represent Asia in the tournament, will be away from their families this Christmas since the games will be held from Dec. 26 to 30.

“This tournament is a bit tougher than the PBA, so we expect to learn so many things from this tournament," said Toroman.

After Haarlem, Smart Gilas will also see action in an invitational tournament in Dubai from Jan. 14 to 21.

“All the tough teams from the Middle East will be there competing, including Iran, Syria and Lebanon," said Toroman, who will most likely add 6-foot-11 Greg Slaughter from the University of the Visayas and 6-foot-10 Junmar Fajardo of University of Cebu.