BAP pool still in training for Games

The national pool under coach Boyzie Zamar doesn’t intend to stop its training and preparations, unless ordered otherwise by the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) leadership.

Zamar stressed this in a phone conversation with The STAR yesterday, saying they remain hopeful basketball will be staged in the coming 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

"We’re still hoping. Until the time comes when the BAP tells us to stop practicing, we will continue to prepare for the Games," said Zamar.

"I’m in constant contact with the BAP through (president) Joey Lina. So far, his instructions have been for us to continue training," Zamar added.

However, Zamar’s team could well be preparing in vain since the Philippine Olympic Committee has announced the scrapping of basketball in the biennial meet the country is hosting from Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

The POC made the decision after it was warned by the International Basketball Federation of severe sanction should it pursue its plan to stage basketball in the SEAG without the Fiba blessing.

POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr., is to announce the scrapping of the event during the SEA Games Federation Council meeting in Bangkok today.

Coach Chot Reyes, who has its own program for the PBA-backed national pool, said the decision to shelve basketball in the SEAG calendar hardly affected them.

"In the first place, SEAG was not included in our original program. But we should’ve been ready if called to play in the Games," said Reyes.

The RP pool under Reyes has also maintained its workout schedule at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center inside the Ateneo campus in Quezon City. The only players skipping the practices at the moment are those playing in the PBL.

Zamar’s pool has been practicing in Cebu for almost two months now with backing from Cebu sports patron Michel Lhuillier.

Among Zamar’s players are Richie Melencio, Chito Victolero, Marlon Kalaw, Woodrow Enriquez, Danny Aying, Randy Alcantara, Eman Samigue, Chris Cantonjos, Marlon Piodo, Leo Bat-og, Francis Sanz, Danny Capobres and Don Villamin.