Chris Tiu and Mark Barroca head the RP team roster composed of the country’s top collegiate stars and backstopped by a tall Fil-Am cager from the Visayas with a couple of US-based cagers being considered to further strengthen the squad.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan presented the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team Wednesday night in a kickoff to the country’s ambitious bid of claiming a berth in the 2012 Olympics in London.
“Our goal is for the Philippines to be put back in the world map because the last time we qualified in the Olympics was in 1972,” said Pangilinan in the event launch at the Teatrino of the Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan.
“It is important to achieve success not just in the SEABA (Southeast Asian Basketball Association) and the SEAG (Southeast Asian Games). To qualify in the 2012 Olympics is our main objective. Truly, the quest begins,” Pangilinan said.
Joining Tiu, who led Ateneo to last year’s UAAP championship, and Barroca, an FEU standout, in the team are Dylan Ababou of UST, JR Cawaling, Aldrech Ramos and Mac Baracael of FEU, Ford Arao and Ryan Buenafe of Ateneo, JV Casio of La Salle, Rey Guevarra and RJ Jazul of Letran, Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian and Magi King Sison of UP and of 6-11 Fil-Am Gregory Slaughter of the University of Visayas.
SBP executive director Noli Eala said last year’s UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo and Paul Lee of UE will join the team after Season 72 of the UAAP while US-based Japeth Aguilar and Giancarlo Chiu and Cebu sensation Junimar Fajardo are also being considered.
Eala said the team is also looking for a tall, athletic naturalized player who can help the Nationals inside.
Others who graced the presentation were US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, SBP vice chair and boxing chief Ricky Vargas, Smart Sports chief Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Sports commissioners Fr. Vic Uy and Eric Loretizo, Philippine Olympic Committee board members Mark Joseph of swimming and Steve Hontiveros of bowling and Milo best’s Nic Jorge.
Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, who steered Iran to the FIBA-Asia Championship title and a slot in the last Beijing Olympics, will coach the Smart-powered quintet.
“This is a momentous occasion for us, we’ve now started to pursue a dream,” said Eala. “The last time we were considered an Asian power was in 1985 during the NCC days. Now we are ranked low by FIBA and I would not accept that the Philippines is too far behind.”
“Before, we’re used to rely on pick-up basis in forming a team, now we have a team to call our own,” Eala said.
“Smart along with our 36 million subscribers will cheer and pray for the team’s success,” said Gregorio.
Forming a team, however, was the most difficult part.
“At first, there were skepticisms in the program but I said let’s go for it, let’s try to do our best,” said Pangilinan.
He said the country should be grateful for the sacrifices of the players.
The last RP team that made it to the Olympics was coached by Ignacio “Ning” Ramos and headed by Ed Ocampo, Narciso Bernardo, Jimmy Mariano, Danny Florencio, William “Bogs” Adornado, Freddie Webb and Manny Paner in the 1972 Munich Games.
Credit: Philistar.com
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