SBP's Team Pilipinas Prospects; 2008 CESAFI Basketball Finals

Rabeh Al-Hussaini

Nonoy Baclao
Chris Tiu
Ryan Buenafe
Ogie Menor
Jake Pascual
Nigerian Sam Ekwe
JR Sena
John Wilson
JV Casio
Rico Maierhofer
Peejay Barua
Jervy Cruz
Edwin Asoro
Arvie Bringas
RP youth dribblers Samuel Joseph Marata Jr.
Ryan Roose Garcia (performed well during the recent FIBA-Asia Youth Championship)
6-foot-11 Gregory Slaughter
6-foot-9 Junmar Fajardo
6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar
6-foot-11 Gian Tiu

These are the short-listed players mentioned in the Inquirer report today as Team Pilipinas' prospects and it came directly from Noli Eala, SBP executive director. The Cebuano basketball players invited by Toroman aren't on the list. Oh well, this isn't final anyway and nothing is definite yet. I'll keep you posted for any developments. The final list will be given to Coach Rajko Toroman for evaluation. Some of these players will represent the country in the 2010 Asian Games and 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.

I think newspaper reports said Maierhoffer and Casio might turn pro next year after the UAAP championship disappointment this year. How will the SBP stop that? They already lost Kevin De La Pena to the PBA.

If PBA thinks it could escape the blame, then they are wrong. Just in case (God forbid) this SBP team fail to qualify for the London Olympics, people will still hit the PBA for being selfish with its players. All of us know the best players in the country are in the PBA and for them not to represent the country says something about the league. Some people will reason out that PBA is business. Yes, it is business I understand that but playing for the country is the best Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility ploy the league could ever do. Just imagine if a PBA-backed national team actually qualifies for the Olympics, it is a great honor for the league. After winning the World Cup in 1998, French Ligue experienced a surge in attendance and popularity not just in Marseille - the traditional stronghold of football in France.

2008 CESAFI BASKETBALL FINALS

University of Visayas Green Lancers defeated University of San Jose - Recoletos 86 - 74 to win the first game of the best of five CESAFI championship series yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum. Von Harry Lanete scored 14 points to lead the Green Lancers to victory.

Related Posts by Categories