PH pool for FIBA Asia Challenge named

MANILA, Philippines – Some of Asia’s top tiers have had their warm-up tourney in the recent Jones Cup, China’s Team B is now training in Lithuania while Team Phl, due to scheduling problem, will be confined at home in its buildup for the FIBA Asia Challenge in Tehran, Iran next month.

The best and the brightest in the PBA D-League will likely compose the Josh Reyes-mentored Phl quintet along with Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena and possibly Blackwater’s JP Erram and Almond Vosotros and TNT Ka Tropa’s Matt Ganuelas.

On Tuesday, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas submitted its provisional 24-man roster to FIBA Asia. But only 15 from the list have been attending training at the Meralco Gym.

“We needed to submit a provisional roster and we filled up 24 slots so we have emergency players. One of our big problems is availability of players,” Reyes told The STAR.

That’s also the case that’s why Team Phl will be limited to training at home in preparation for the first regional tourney under the revised FIBA format and calendar.

“It would’ve been better to go out and get these players some international training. But the PBA D-League would only be over two weeks before the Tehran meet,” said Reyes. “We’ll just have tune-up games versus collegiate teams and the Mighty Sports team that’s preparing for the Merlion Cup in Singapore.”

Mac Belo, Kevin Ferrer, Roger Pogoy, Mike Tolomia, Russel Escoto and Jiovani Jalalon are players with previous Gilas cadet stints named in the pool.

Also in the roster are Mon Alvin Abundo, Yutien Andrada, Kemark Carino, Carl Bryan Cruz, Ed Daquiaog, Alfonzo Gotladera, Jonathan Grey, Chris Javier, Jaymar Perez, Von Pessumal, Arvin Dave Tolentino and Arnold Van Opstal.

Wright, a Phl Youth standout, and Van Opstal have committed to attend practice in the next few days.

“These are young players. They will battle in Tehran with unfair expectation,” said Reyes. “We’re playing in Tehran because it’s our commitment. It’s a FIBA-sanctioned tourney that we have to play.”

Team Phl secured berth in the Tehran tourney in topping the SEABA Stankovic Cup in Bangkok, Thailand a few months ago. Other countries which have booked spots in the 12-nation tourney slated September 9-18 are Iran, China, Jordan, Iraq, Thailand and India.

Nash Racela, coach of the Stankovic Cup-winning Team Phl, is helping out in training but we’ll not be able to join the Tehran trip as he’s tied up with the coming UAAP season.

To assist Reyes is Phl Youth coach Mike Oliver.