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Last-minute changes likely for Pinoy cagers


After tapping the services of a third Philippine Basketball Association superstar in Sol Mercado, more changes in the lineup of RP-Smart Gilas are likely to take place. Fil-foreign players Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz and American Marcus Douthit might be included in the roster , with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) intending to request the Asian Games organizing committee to give them late accreditation, according to Rajko Toroman. Assuming Lutz and Douthit, the national team’s candidates for naturalization, secure their Philippine passports in time for the Asiad, the two will also likely be included in the RP lineup. The inclusion of the stocky Rain or Shine stalwart Mercado was also a move to cover up the 1 or 2 spots in case Lassiter fails to recover from a dislocated hip he suffered during the team’s stint in the Stankovic Cup. “We don’t know the situation of Lassiter right now," said Toroman of the 6-foot guard currently undergoing rehabilitation in the U.S. “But if he comes back, we’ll definitely be a strong team in the Asiad." “I think we now have a competitive team to the Asian Games," added Toroman shortly after being informed that Mercado was finally given the go-signal by his mother team to don the national colors for the Nov. 12-27 quadrennial meet. Toroman had a ringside view of Mercado Wednesday when the Elasto Painters and the Derby Ace Llamados held a tune-up game, which the reigning Philippine Cup champions won. While the 6-foot-1 guard out of Biola University in Southern California played "decent" during the exhibition match, “the important thing was that he’s healthy." “With Mercado in the team, that 1-2 position in our backcourt is very secure for us," added the national coach, whose team plays the Meralco Bolts in a tune-up game Friday. Mercado is the third PBA player added by RP-Smart Gilas after Asi Taulava and Kelly Williams. Aside from the three PBA stars, also included in the national team roster are skipper Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael, JV Casio, Dylan Ababou, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Jason Ballesteros and Aldrech Ramos. - KY/RCJ, GMANews.TV

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