SMART GILAS WINS OPENER AT JONES CUP

RP sports has been filled with news on our football team (Azkals) and our rugby team (Volcanoes) recently. But we almost forgot that we have one team which we have been constantly supporting and egging for success - The Smart-Gilas team, our country's best hope for Basketball. And a great way to start being in the news is to actually win their opener at the current Jones Cup being held in Taipei beating powerhouse Iran 73-59.

Although the schedules have been changed due to the withdrawal of South Africa, the RP team made fans happy as they eased their way past the Asian champions Iran. This would be a good measure as to where we are at the moment at least on the Asian side of basketball. The next few days would be pivotal for the team as it tackles 6 more teams and hope to land a spot in the semifinals. The team has sent a more realistic goal of finishing 2nd in the tournament. Beating Iran is one big step towards that. Up next would be host Chinese-Taipei then Jordan on Monday. Aside from these teams, the Smart-Gilas squad is also set to face Malaysia, UAE and 2 other teams which they have not defeated in while - Japan and South Korea.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope our national team success at the current Jones Cup. Good luck!