Shame of ABC ’01

Saudi Arabia prince Walid bin Talal has given the Lebanese national team a bonus of $330,000 – roughly P17.5 Million – for taking second place at the recent Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) tilt in Shanghai and booking a ticket to the World Championships in Indiana next year.

Saudi, of course, skipped the ABC tournament so Walid was free to cheer for Lebanon which gained the distinction of being the first West Asia country to play at the World Championships. Saudi was fourth in 1997 and third in 1999 but pulled out of this year’s joust due to player injuries.

It was only Lebanon’s second appearance in the ABC tournament. In 1999, Lebanon finished 7th but not before defeating South Korea, 75-65, in the eliminations.

In Shanghai, Lebanon showed up with import Joe Vogel and National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Johnny Neumann as coach. The 6-11, 240-pound Vogel – a naturalized citizen — was a four-year center at Colorado State who averaged 10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocked shots as a senior in 1995-96. He saw action as an import in Taiwan before settling in Beirut.

Neumann, 49, hit at a 14.9 clip for five teams in five years in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and averaged 5.6 points for Buffalo, the Los Angeles Lakers, and Indiana in three NBA seasons. He scored over 40 points a game as a sophomore at Mississippi before renouncing his varsity eligibility to turn pro in the ABA.

Lebanese authorities are still hoping to someday enlist Beirut-born NBA veteran Rony Seikaly for the national team but the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has repeatedly refused to stamp its approval because the 6-11 former Syracuse University star of Greek descent once played for the US junior team. Under FIBA rules, a player may represent only one country in his international career. Seikaly’s case, however, is under appeal.

Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) presidential claimant Quinteliano (Tiny) Literal watched Lebanon in action in Shanghai and was impressed. "Malalaki at magagaling," said Literal. "Marami na silang mga galaw – no doubt, natuto sila kay coach Neumann. Mahihirapan na tayo sa kanila sa Asian Games." Basketball is Lebanon’s No. 1 sport – just like here.

Japan also recruited an import – Dan Weiss – for the ABC Championships in Fukuoka two years ago. But in Shanghai, Japan played without Weiss, Japanese-American Michael Dorsey, also known as Maikeru Takahashi, Akifumi Yamasaki, Kenichi Sako, and Makoto Hasegawa who suited up for the San Diego Wildfire with Asi Taulava in the ABA this past season. Japanese coach Kenji Yoshida, replacing the venerable Mototaka Kohama, leaned on a nucleus of Masaki Goto, Satoru Furuta, Takuya Kita, and Takahiro Setsumata to salvage sixth spot, down from fifth in 1999.

China breezed to its 12th ABC title since joining the tilt in 1975. Curiously, coach Wang Fei used nearly the same lineup that played at the Bangkok Asian Games three years ago, fueling speculation that the next generation of players isn’t as talented. Back were Wang Zhizhi, Batere Menk, Yao Ming, Gong Xiaobin, Zhang Jinsong, Liu Yudong, Li Xiaoyong, Fan Bin, Li Nan, and Hu Weidong.

South Korea was lucky to nail third place – beating Syria, 95-94, in overtime. Coach Kim Dong Kwang left behind aging stars Hur Jae and Kang Dong Hee but Seo Jang Hoon, Kim Joo Sung, and Cho Song Hyun couldn’t get the job done. South Korea’s 75-72 semifinal loss to Lebanon was a big blow to the 1997 titlist.

Chinese-Taipei stumbled as Cheng (The Dragon) Chih-lung and Lo Shin Liang were nowhere around. With four teeners in the roster, the Taiwanese averaged only 22 years old and the inexperience showed. Japan, Lebanon, and China took turns humbling the Taiwanese who barely beat India, 92-90, for seventh spot.

Syria was a surprise semifinalist. And Qatar, starring the high-flying Yaseen Ismail Mahmoud, finished a strong fifth.

It was the first time that the Philippines didn’t play in the tournament – a consequence of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) suspension by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). What a shame that Asia’s once proud and mighty cage powerhouse has been relegated to the doghouse.

The Philippines captured the first ABC crown here in 1960. Coach Arturo Rius’ charges included Caloy Loyzaga, Charlie Badion, Bonnie Carbonell, Eddie Lim, Narciso Bernardo, and Ed Ocampo. The Philippines also won in 1963, 1967, 1973, and 1986.

Ron Jacobs coached the last Philippine ABC champions in Kuala Lumpur in 1986. The team was made up of Hector Calma, Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic, Tonichi Yturri, Elmer Reyes, Yves Dignadice, Franz Pumaren, Pido Jarencio, Jerry Codiñera, Alfie Almario, Dennis Still, and Jeff Moore. Chip Engelland didn’t play on the team because only two naturalized players were allowed.

Since the 1986 victory, it’s been downhill for the Philippines. In 1987, the Philippines fell to 4th (coach Joe Lipa) – in 1989, to 8th (coach Derick Pumaren) – in 1991, to 7th (coach Francis Rodriguez) – in 1993, to 11th (coach Rogelio Melencio) – in 1995, to 12th (coach Arlene Rodriguez) – in 1997, to 6th (coach Dong Vergeire) – in 1999, to 11th (coach Vic Sanchez).

The Philippines must send its strongest team to the ABC meet because it’s the qualifier for the World Championships, and the Olympics. The PBA lends its players only for the quadrennial Asian Games, not the biennial ABC tournament – but that has to change if there is still some pride left in us.

Here’s a possible Philippine team that should send shivers down Wang Zhizhi’s spine – Danny Ildefonso, Taulava, E.J. Feihl at center; Eric Menk and Andy Seigle at power forward; Kenneth Duremdes and Jun Limpot at small forward; Danny Seigle, Jeffrey Cariaso, and Alvin Patrimonio at offguard; and Olsen Racela and Noy Castillo at point guard. On reserve could be Rudy Hatfield, Dennis Espino, Chris Jackson, DaVonn Harp, Vergel Meneses, and depending on his health, Benjie Paras.

Let’s make sure the shame of 2001 never happens again.