THE SMART Gilas Pilipinas will be looking to continue on their winning run when they face off against the Duhok-Iraq today in the resumption of the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Nationals take the floor at 8 p.m. as they go for their third win after taking a rest day yesterday in preparation for the Iraqis.
Smart Gilas trounced KL Dragons-Malaysia, 95-64, to secure its second win in the tournament after concerted efforts from Chris Lutz, JV Casio and Asi Taulava.
On the other hand, Duhok lost all its two matches so far including an 83-75 defeat at the hands of Al Ittihad-Saudi Arabia, a team that defeated Smart Gilas convincingly in the opener.
But Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman is not underestimating the Iraqis as the Nationals get reacquainted with CJ Giles, who was once a candidate for naturalization before Marcus Douthit took the spot.
Duhok is nothing new to Smart Gilas having faced the team in last year’s edition of the tournament where the Nationals beat the Iraqis, 76-74./Correspondent Jonas Panerio