Gilas-Smart RP team coach Rajko Toroman introduces to media fellow Serbian Mila Vucicevic (left) who has been tapped to join the team in its FIBA-Asia Champions Cup campaign beginning this week. (Photo by TONY PIONILLA)

The Smart-Gilas national team got a big boost Tuesday following the arrival of Fil-Am recruit Chris Lutz, two days before the team leaves for Doha, Qatar to compete in the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup.

Lutz was accompanied by Smart-Gilas team manager Frankie Lim, who convinced the 6-foot-3 guard from Marshall University to come to the Philippines and possibly help the Nationals in their campaign in the tournament where they are bracketed in the so-called “Group of Death.”

His arrival elated no less than Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, believing Lutz can provide additional depth and stability to the team.

Toroman, however, is not yet certain whether they will enlist the services of the Fil-Am or not.

“We’ll decide if we will put him (Lutz) on the (final) line up for FIBA-Asia (Champions Cup),” said Toroman, who was with 6-foot-10 Serbian import Milan Vucicevic Tuesday in the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s Restaurant in U.N. Avenue, Manila.

Lutz, who actually played in Purdue in his first two years in college, was a starter for Marshall, a division 1 school in the US NCAA.

Even if he will not be included in the final list, Lutz will still be allowed to go with the team which is seeking to improve the fifth-placed finish of the previous RP team comprised of PBA players.

Toroman said the Champions Cup will serve as a training for the national team whose main objectives are the Asian Games in November in Guangzhou, China, and the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship next year, the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.

“It’s not so nice... we have a lot of injury. We had a tough five months travelling around the world (for competitions). Unfortunately now, we have injured players,” Toroman said, referring to JV Casio (MCL), Marcio Lassiter (right knee), as well as Chris Tiu, Mark Baracael, and JR Cawaling.

Toroman also voiced his optimism that Kelly Williams, who is now with Talk 'N Text which is owned by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan, will be allowed by the PBA Board to join Gilas in the Asian Games.

“It’s my great wish to have Kelly on the team. Hopefully, we’ll have him in November. He has great attitude, great working on the court. We need his toughness in position four (forward),” said Toroman adding that another Fil-Am – Chris Banchero – is expected to join the team in the Asian Games.

The Philippines is in Group A and will play host Qatar for its first game, followed by Kazakhstan, defending champion Iran and Iraq. Playing in Group B are Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

The top four teams from each group will advance in the crossover quarterfinals, and Toroman said it’s important to finish in the top two in their group to avoid possible early confrontation with either Jordan or Lebanon.