Almazan, Tiu, Yap, Belga frontrunners for Philippine Asiad team

MANILA, Philippines – The Rain or Shine management on Thursday said Gilas veterans Raymond Almazan and Chris Tiu, and fellow former national players James Yap and Beau Belga are the leading candidates to the Philippine team for the Asian Games in Jakarta next month.

“The players that got to see a lot of playing time in our team, they were mentioned by coach Yeng Guiao as the candidates,” ROS team owner Raymond Yu told The STAR.

He rattled the names of Jewel Ponferada, Jay Washington, Maverick Ahanmisi, Ed Daquioag, Norbert Torres but mentioned Almazan, Tiu, Yap and Belga as “the frontrunners.”

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is to submit a new 18-man pool to the Asiad organizing committee, with the ROS core group to lead the list that will include Cleveland Cavalier Jordan Clarkson and Gilas cadet players Kobe Paras, Abu Tratter and Ricci Rivero.

The PBA board of governors, in a meeting Thursday, formalized the appointment of Yeng Guiao and the Rain or Shine team to represent the Philippines in the Jakarta Games.

The FIBA made no mention of the Asian Games in suspending Gilas players Andray Blatche, Jason Castro, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Carl Bryan Cruz and Matthew Wright in the aftermath of the Gilas-Australia brawl.

But SBP president Al Panlilio said they deemed it better to rest the Gilas players for the meantime.

The Rain or Shine management said it’s a great honor and privilege to take the Asiad task.

“The Asian Games is a few days from now, but we’re going there with the mindset of wanting to win. If we can, why not?” said Yu. “But given the manpower and the short preparation, we’re managing the expectation.”

The proximity of the event prompted the ROS management to request their former coach to come on board.

“We do feel coach Caloy Garcia is capable but he doesn’t have the experience. Coach Yeng has the experience and he knows our players. We at Rain or Shine are comfortable with him and I feel he’s also comfortable with us. It’s less than a month away, wala ng panahon magkapaan pa,” said Yu.

Meanwhile, the SBP is hoping that they can work out the inclusion of Clarkson although the Fil-Am NBA player may need to clear major hurdles to make the lineup.

“He wants to play for Gilas. (SBP executive director) Sonny (Barrios) wrote formally asking the Cavaliers for clearance. Initial indications is okay ang Cleveland,” said Panlilio.

A tougher hurdle, though, is the Asiad eligibility rules which, Panlilio admitted, have never been consistent. “It’s up to OCA if he is eligible,” he said.