Life after Ateneo: Al-Hussaini to join RP Smart Gilas team

The RP-Smart Gilas team is close to signing 2009 UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rabeh Al-Hussaini in an effort to further beef up its frontcourt, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala said. The 6-foot-6 Al-Hussaini steered the Ateneo Blue Eagles to back-to-back UAAP men’s championships last week to cap a sterling collegiate career. He was adjudged UAAP regular season MVP last year and finished runner-up to UST’s Dylan Ababou in the race for the league’s coveted individual award this year.

Eala expressed optimism the Ateneo big man will sign up with Smart Gilas – the squad tasked to represent the country in international tournaments, including the 2012 Olympics qualifier FIBA Asia Championship - and suit up for the team when it plays Burger King in its PBA Philippine Cup debut this weekend. “We are close to coming to terms with Rabeh," said Eala. “He will start practicing with the team tomorrow (Tuesday)." Al-Hussaini has already been included in the Smart Gilas lineup for the PBA tourney, along with University of the East stalwart Paul Lee and Cebuano hotshot Junmar Fajardo, both of whom Eala hopes would eventually hook up with the national squad. “We are optimistic they will support the national cause and Smart Gilas," said the SBP executive. Members of the Smart Gilas, headed by former Ateneo ace Chris Tiu and 7-foot American CJ Giles, are bound to stay together for three years in an ambitious bid to earn an Olympic slot in 2012. Lee, the fiery UE guard and Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Best Player of the Conference awardee, led the Warriors to a surprising runner-up finish behind the Eagles in the UAAP this season. On the other hand, Fajardo is considered the cornerstone of the University of Cebu squad currently seeing action in the CESAFI. - GMANews.TV