Former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Rajko Toroman is back in the Philippines and will soon serve as a consultant for the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers, said head coach Charles Tiu.
For Tiu, it will be a 'full circle moment' for him as he will work again with the former Philippine men's national basketball team coach.
"Beyond thrilled. It's coming full circle for me. I've always wanted to work with him again because he is like a father figure to me," said Tiu, who has been under Toroman's staff in the first iteration of Gilas Pilipinas team and the then Petron Blaze Boosters and Barako Bull squads in the PBA.
Tiu added that Toroman returning to the Philippines will not just help the Blazers, but also other basketball teams in the country.
"I think more than just to the college game, he will be able to help a lot of teams. As you know, boss Frank Lao supports numerous basketball teams, and I think we all can benefit from coach Rajko," Tiu said, referring to Benilde program booster Frank Lao who also helped in stacking the Taft-based squad's roster for the upcoming NCAA seasons.
"There is still so much for us to learn and improve on, and whenever we get a coach of his caliber to come here and train us, it Is great for us," he added.
Tiu revealed that he had already talked to Toroman before about the latter's chances of joining the Taft-based squad.
"Before bringing Coach Zoran (Martic) on board, I had actually invited Coach Rajko. However, he had commitments in Bahrain and wanted to watch his grandson compete for the Serbian U16 national team," Tiu explained.
Benilde men's basketball team manager Jacob Lao also welcomed Toroman to the Blazers' camp.
"We are delighted to welcome coach Rajko Toroman to the College of Saint Benilde family. His wealth of experience and strategic insights will undoubtedly elevate our team's performance. With Coach Rajko's guidance, we are confident in reaching new heights in the world of college basketball," said Jacob Lao.
Frank Lao also said Toroman will conduct basketball clinics across the country as part of the Strong Group's initiative to help in developing Filipino players.
"Coach Rajko will generously conduct coaching clinics nationwide during his free time, strengthening the sport at every level and empowering aspiring athletes and coaches across the country," said Lao.
Toroman will join the likes of Paolo Layug, Carlo Tan, Gabby Severino, Marvin Bienvenida, and JC Cullar on Tiu's coaching staff.
Prior to his return to the country, Toroman also served as the director of the Indonesia national men's basketball team which won the gold medal in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi.
Benilde, meanwhile, finished as runners-up to champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran in NCAA Season 98 after a three-game finals series.
The Blazers will still have a core intact for Season 99 as NCAA Most Valuable Player Will Gozum makes his return, alongside the likes of Robi Nayve, Migs Oczon, Miggy Corteza, and Prince Carlos.
The team has also beefed up its squad for Season 100 after securing the commitment of players such as Allen Liwag, Gab Cometa, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez.
NCAA Season 99 is scheduled to return in September.
—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News
