RP 5 raring to play Aussies

The PBA stars who make up the Philippine team coached by Yeng Guiao can’t wait to lock horns with the visiting Great White Sharks of Australia. They collide in their two-game series opener at the Araneta Coliseum tonight. The rematch is set this Sunday also at the Big Dome.

The Aussies are expected to throw their weight around, literally, on the court. They’re bigger, taller and heftier than the hosts. The most imposing Shark is 7-foot, 240-pound Patrick Pilae who’s a Samoan native. Other towers in Australia’s frontline are 6-9 Bruce Bolden, 6-10 Anthony Susnjara and 6-9 Goran Veg.

The player to watch is Bolden, a legendary figure in Australian hoops history. He played 17 years in the National Basketball League (NBL) and although “ancient” at 45, still commands attention at the post. Bolden made his Australian debut in 1985 and is the Sharks’ playing coach.

Mick Pennisi and Sonny Thoss, two players in Guiao’s squad with Australian credentials, said the Sharks are total strangers.

“I haven’t played against any of the Aussies because I think most of them are young,” noted the Australian-born Pennisi, 34. “I’ve heard of Bolden because he’s a legend in Australia and everyone knows him.”

Thoss, who attended James Cook University in Brisbane, said he, too, hasn’t crossed paths with any of the Aussie visitors.

Three Sharks trace their roots to Croatia – Susnjara, 6-5 Anto (Tony) Lalic and Veg. Susnjara played four years for Coastal Carolina College in the US NCAA and is coming off a stint with the Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL. Lalic averaged 19.4 points for Blacktown City in the Australian Basketball Association (ABA) in 2003 then played for the Zadar club that won the Croatian league title in 2005-06. Veg also saw action for Zadar and is a mainstay of the Parramatta Wildcats in the ABA.

The other Sharks are 6-7 Graeme Dann, 6-4 Eban Hyams, 6-7 Terry Amir, 5-11 Sami Tsegay, 6-3 Mark De’Riviere and 6-3 Fil-Aussie Vergel Alcantara.

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Dann, 25, averaged 7.1 points for the Sydney Spirit in the NBL last season. Hyams, 28, was born in India and once played in Israel. Amir, like Bolden, is American who has acquired Australian citizenship. The shortest player Tsegay is from Asmara, Africa, while the youngest De’Riviere, 18, is a college prospect from Sydney.

Tipped to start for the Sharks are Bolden, Susnjara, Pilae, Dann and Hyams. Assisting Bolden on the Sharks bench are Filipinos Jun da Jose, Jr. and Ato Tolentino.

Guiao said he’s not intimidated by the Sharks’ size. In fact, he’s bracing for a physical series where the Philippine team’s toughness will be put to a test.

“We’re really looking to play bigger and stronger teams because this is the kind of competition we expect in China (for the FIBA-Asia Championships) in August,” said Guiao. “Australia is a world power in basketball so we expect a strong and rugged team which fits our purpose of testing our players against big and talented teams.

“We might be a little rough around the edges because this is our first time to compete as a team but we will learn quickly. Our team will surely be smaller but I think we have enough talent and athletic ability to give them a good fight.”

Guiao’s big men Asi Taulava, Thoss and Pennisi said they’re ready to bang bodies with the burly Aussies.

“It will be a good early test for us to see how we adjust to their size and see how we can use our quickness against them,” said the 6-9 Taulava, now 36. “At the same time, they would help us get ready for the big Middle East teams. It’s also good for us that we get away from the PBA style of basketball. FIBA is something our new guys have to get used to. It’s a totally different game.”

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Thoss, 27, said size isn’t as much a concern as how the national team matches up with the Aussies.

“I feel we just have to focus for now on playing as a team, getting comfortable with each other and executing our offense and defense to the best of our ability,” he continued. “I’m sure these games (against Australia) are going to be tough and challenging. We just have to make the most of it and learn as much as we can. I’m excited and looking forward to playing tonight (Friday) and Sunday.”

Pennisi said instead of worrying about the Sharks’ size, he’ll concentrate on playing to the national team’s strengths.

“We’ll find it difficult to match up size-wise with the Australian team and teams we will be playing against in FIBA,” said Pennisi. “So I feel we should capitalize on our strength which is our scoring ability and play an up-tempo game.”

Kelly Williams said he’s not bothered by the Sharks’ physique.

“I’m hoping to bring some energy to these games against Australia,” said Williams. “The Australian teams that come here are tall, strong and shoot well. So it should be fun. Anyway, we have a tall, strong Aussie (Pennisi) who can shoot, too. It should be an exciting series.”

Ryan Reyes, a national team rookie, said it’s all about playing tough.

“They’re all tall in each position with an average height of 6-5,” said Reyes. “So we just have to play tough, physical and smart – doing all the little things like hustle and boxing out on defense. I just plan to play my best on both sides, offense and defense.”

Arwind Santos vowed to show the Aussies a thing or two about playing the game.

“I want to let them know that the Philippine team isn’t just there to sit and watch the game,” he said. “We will give them a real game. We will show the Australian team how Filipinos play basketball. As for the height difference, I don’t think we’re too far apart. To offset whatever size advantage they have, first we’ve got to play tough defense. Second, we should run our system efficiently and third, we must perfect our outside shooting.”

Edsa Shangri-La Hotel is the official residence of the visiting Aussies and the Powerade Team Pilipinas.