i TV Pinoy

Source: gmanews.tv

-- The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is once again on the lookout for a foreign player that they can naturalize after top candidate CJ Giles was given the boot.

SBP executive director Noli Eala said that the contract signed by the 6-foot-10 Giles has been pre-terminated adding that the NBA veteran does not possess the right qualities to help Smart-Gilas in its drive for a slot into the 2012 London Olympics.

Former Red Bull import Earl Baron, former Golden State Warriors center Shaun Pruitt and NBA veteran Jamal Wesley Sampson are among the top candidates as Giles’ replacement.

“Sampson is high on our list as he averaged 18 rebounds while playing in China. He is a 6-foot-11 center who is a cousin of former top NBA draft pick Ralph Sampson," said Eala.

Talks are now ongoing with the player’s agent and Eala hopes to see them personally by the first week of January.

Eala said Giles played way below expectations because he was not focused brought by the medical condition of his four-year-old son and due to his numerous injuries.

But pressed for more concrete details, Eala admitted that Giles had an attitude problem which will not help the realization of the team’s long term goal.

“In a long term program, chemistry of the team is very important. But Giles has character and personality problem so we have to decide this early to terminate his contract and look for other candidates for naturalization," said Eala.

Giles, who was signed to a two-year contract after a solid performance with Gilas, arrived late in most of the team’s practices. He saw action when the Rajko Toroman-coached Gilas squad competed in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup,

Giles had a long history of irresponsible behavior.

He was kicked out from the University of Kansas after two years for not following team rules. He transferred to Oregon State University but was dismissed after one year for showing up late in practices.

He went undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft because of his bad records but the Los Angeles Lakers picked him up in September only to be released after one month.

Eala admits the decision to release Giles is a setback as far as recruiting a potential naturalized player is concern but he believes they are still on the right track as far as the 2012 London Olympics is concerned.

He said that they will have until the end of December to look for Giles’ possible replacement.

Giles is being groomed to beef up the interior defense of Gilas, which is backstopped by the country’s top collegiate and amateur players.