SMART Gilas Pilipinas expects a strong run in the 22nd Fiba Asia Champions Cup with PBA hotshot Dondon Hontiveros tipped to play a key role at both ends.

National coach Rajko Toroman said the addition of Hontiveros, along with PBA veteran Asi Taulava, has boosted Gilas’ chances in the 10-nation tournament the country’s hosting from May 28 to June 5 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

“Dondon is an extremely good player, he’s working on both sides of the court,”  Toroman said in the  PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s UN Avenue. “He picked up the system, I think he’s the piece of the puzzle that we missed. He will be the guy who can do a lot of good job for us.”

Toroman also tapped Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams, but the two pro stars  have yet to join the Nationals’ training since powering Talk ‘N Text to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship recently.

“In the next few days, we’ll make a decision if they can join us,” said Toroman in the weekly session backed by Smart, Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Shakey’s.

Smart Gilas is bracketed in Group A along with Korea, Malaysia, Jordan and India. Slugging it out in Group B are Iran, Syria, Qatar, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates.

“Our group looks a little easier. I think we can be first or second in our group,” noted Toroman.

The Nationals, led by Chris Tiu and JV Casio, are coming off a guest stint in the PBA where they lost to Ginebra in the semifinals.

“We are in good condition,” said Toroman. “We just finished playing in the PBA, it was a very good experience for us. We don’t have major injuries. Everybody’s ready.”

Smart Gilas is using the tournament to toughen up for the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China in September.

“Our goal is to play in the finals. It’s time to show that we can be competitive and I expect us to play in the finals ,”  said Toroman.

The Serbian mentor said several other tournaments are lined up for Gilas this year, including the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Champions Cup in Jakarta from June 23 to 25 and a Portugal tourney in Lisbon from July 21 to 28.