12 players sa Powerade Team Pilipinas inihayag

MANILA, Philippines - Inihayag kahapon ni Coach Yeng Guiao ang 12 manlalarong bubuo sa Powerade Team Pilipinas sa Medan, Indonesia at pinili sina Kelly Williams at Sonny Thoss na reserba na may konsiderasyon sa pangkalusugan bilang basehan ng pagpili.

Kasama sa rosters sina Asi Taulava, Kerby Raymundo, Mick Pennisi, Gabe Norwood, Jayjay Helterbrand, James Yap, Cyrus Baguio, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, Jared Dillinger, Ranidel de Ocampo at Arwind Santos.

Si Williams, na may blood disorder, at Thoss, na may knee problem, ay ibinaba bilang reserba sa magaan na regional tournament na magsisilbing elimination para sa FIBA-Asia Championship sa China sa Agosto.

Pansamantalang magbabakasyon ang Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference sa June 4-13 upang bigyan daan ang partisipasyon ng National team sa SEABA Championship sa June 6-10.

Umaasa ang Nationals, na makakasama sa top three sa Asian championships sa China para maging kuwalipikado sa World Championship sa Islamabad, Turkey sa susunod na taon. Aalis ang Powerade Team Pilipinas patungong Medan sa June 4.

"With SEABA a light tourney, coach Yeng selected his 12 players based only on health consideration. Making it are the 12 healthiest and not included are the two least healthy," ani PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

"Everybody's aware that Kelly has an illness. Sonny Thoss, probably unknown to many, is having a knee problem. Coach Yeng prefers that Sonny rests his knee," dagdag ni Barrios. "Coach Yeng says Sonny's more needed in the Jones Cup where a team is allowed to play more than 12 players."