2010 Jones Cup dates set (Smart Gilas)

The R. William Jones Cup International Invitational Tournament, Taiwan's top international hoop event, will be held from July 13-21, a Taiwan basketball official said.

Seven men's teams and five women's teams will participate in the annual tournament in Taipei County's Sinjhuang Stadium, said Lee Yi-chung, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA), Taiwan's top basketball governing body.

Host Taiwan will field its national teams and university all-star teams in both the men's and women's competitions, Lee said. Several of Taiwan's national players have injuries, however, and have said they will sit out in order to be in better shape to prepare for the Asian Games, which will be held in Guangzhou, China in November.

Among the men's participating teams are Japan's national team, Lebanon's national team, Iran's national second team, a club team from western Australia and the Smart Gilas - Philippines' national team.

Lee said he expected the Philippine team (Smart Gilas) to be the top box office draw as usual because there are many overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan and because Filipinos are known for their passion for basketball.

'Moreover, this Philippine team was selected to compete for a berth in the Asian zone for the 2012 London Olympics. I think the team will be highly competitive, ' Lee said.

In the women's competition, Japan, Kazakhstan and Lebanon will send their national teams to compete with the two home teams.

The Jones Cup started in 1977 as an invitational tourney with national teams, club teams and university teams mainly from the Asian region. It was named after Renato William Jones, one of the founders and former secretary-general of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

********

"Manila Invitational Cup will be on June 24-27 @ Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Confirmed Jordan NT, Dongguan CBA Club & Smart Gilas. 2 PBA auto semis also invited." - Noli Eala