Lebanon questions the eligibility of Smart Gilas’ players on the opening day of FIBA Asia C’ Ship
As if the spate of injuries for Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship were not enough, the Philippines national basketball team has come across another dilemma.
On the eve of their first game of the tournament, Smart Gilas is facing eligibility issues which were questioned by Lebanon in a totally unexpected move. Lebanon’s Hagop Khajirian, who is also the Deputy Secretary General of FIBA
Asia, questioned the eligibility of Smart Gilas two key players Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz.
The Lebanese have claimed that Lutz and Lassiter are naturalized players and as such are not eligible to represent Philippines in the continental tournament. Smart Gilas Pilipinas have however denied the accusation on their players,
saying that it is far from the truth.
The former head coach of the National team Chot Reyes, who is now assisting Rajko Toroman, made the confirmation of news through his twitter account that Lebanon questioned the eligibility of their two players.
“Foreigner daw sila eh both played na sa FiBA-Asia Champions Cup, Stankovic Cup, SEABA and Asian Games. We have until before the game tomorrow to prove otherwise,”
Reyes made an argument that the line-ups were submitted last month and if there really was an eligibility issue, why Lebanon didn’t question it back then. Chot Reyes and the team management has involved Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas
(SBP) and the former Secretary General Manager of FIBA Asia Moying Martelino to solve the matter.
Martelino proposed that according to the constitution of Philippine, if one parent of a person is Filipino at the time of the birth, then he or she is considered as Philippine’s citizen.
Chris Lutz’s mother Luzviminda is a Filipino and his father is American. While Marcio Lassiter’s mother Alexandria Eshabarr is also Filipino, which will pretty much solves the issue for both the players. According to sources, Reyes
has asked for the passport of the players which will work as a proof for their identity.
The Smart Gilas Pilipinas first game of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship is scheduled against the United Arab Emirates later today. The champions of the tournament will qualify for the 2012 Olympics that will be held in London.
Despite of carrying a number of injuries on the roster, the Serbian mentor Toroman is hopeful that Smart Gilas will race away into the semi-finals.
“We’ll try to go to the semi-finals. That’s our goal, that’s a goal for me. We have some small problems, big problems. Jvee is still not 100 percent, Marcus did not practice, and Marcio has injury. But I’m very optimistic. Like
I’ve said, in the beginning we’ll not be on the highest level, but during the tournament we’ll be improving our shape."
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