Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association hopes to extend its reign in two divisions as the 27th Asean Veterans Basketball Tournament fires off Monday in Hat Yai, Thailand.
Ironcon Builders owner Jimi Lim, head of the country’s delegation to the annual tournament and deputy president of the regional association, expressed supreme confidence they can re-stamp their class in both the 60-and-above y and 65-and-above- years divisions.
“We practice from time to time so we are all upbeat we can defend our titles in both divisions,” said Lim, who is bankrolling the country’s participation together with Rain or Shine’s Terry Que and Freego’s Eduard Tio.
Aside from Lim and Que, other members of the 65-and-above team are former Crispa enforcer Bong dela Cruz, MICAA player Zotico Tan, Johnny Chua, James Chua, Sonny Co, Antonio Go, Conrad Siy, Eddie Yap and Achit Kaw.
“We have an intact lineup so we will go for a three-peat this time,” said Que.
The 60-and-above squad, on the other hand, is going for a four-peat with Tio calling the shots this time after missing the event last year.
Leading the 60s are former San Miguel star Elmer Reyes, Crispa’s Noli Banate, ex-University of the East star Julio Cruz and former La Salle star Kenneth Yap.
Other members of the 60s are Danilo Ching, Aries Franco, Andrew Ongteco, Danny Co, Jose Lao, Elmer Latonio and Ramon Mabanta.
The association, however, won’t be fielding a team in the 50-and-above this time.
Led by former rivals Allan Caidic and Benet Palad, and Gerry Gonzales, the 50s completed a three-peat last year following a runaway win over Kuching in Malaysia.