Twice-a-Day practice sessions have been scheduled for the hastily assembled national men’s basketball team that’s going to the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
With the Philippines entered in Group B, where it is bracketed with Iran, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, coach Yeng Guiao is hoping to whip the best out of his national team, composed primarily of the core of Philippine Basketball Association team Rain or Shine.
The national squad, which has less than two weeks to prepare, began its rigorous training for the Asiad last night at the Meralco gym in Ortigas.
“We will represent the country to the best of our abilities. Our objective is to make our country proud,” said Guiao right after top basketball officials responded to a strong and popular clamor and decided to form a basketball team to the Asiad.
Led by Rain or Shine cagers Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood, James Yap, Beau Belgas and Raymund Almazan, the team plunges into action against UAE on Aug. 16 a day after it leaves for Jakarta.
“It’s also a sacrifice and service to country. We don’t mind this as long as we can make our countrymen, who are basketball fans, happy,” added Guiao.
A 12-man roster to the quadrennial meet has already been approved by the organizing committee the other day.
The other players from seven other ballclubs who have been included are Stanley Pringle (Global Port), Paul Lee (Magnolia), JP Eram (Blackwater), Don Trollano (TNT), Christian Standhardinger (San Miguel) and Asi Taulava (NLEX).
Two players from the Gilas Cadets, Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras, are also among the aspirants.
A challenge has also been given to Guiao by Philippine Olympic Committee President and Philippine Basketball Association Chairman Ricky Vargas as well.
And that’s to do better than what the Gilas Pilipinas team has done in the 2014 Asian Games in Korea, where Team Pilipinas placed seventh behind podium finishers South Korea, Iran and Japan.