Can this team do it?

Info from www.PBA.com

Coach Yeng Guiao Thursday made public his official list of players who will comprise the Philippine Team that will try to defend the SEABA championship and gain passage into the FIBA-Asia qualifying tournament for the World Championships.

Named to the team were Ranidel de Ocampo and Arwind Santos of Air21, Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss of Alaska, Barangay Ginebra’s Jayjay Helterbrand, Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola, Purefoods 1-2 punch of Kerby Raymundo and James Yap, this season’s No. 1 overall pick Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Cyrus Baguio of Red Bull, San Miguel’s Mick Pennisi, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes of Sta. Lucia and Talk n Text rookie Jared Dillinger.


Except for Santos, Miller, Baguio, Reyes and Dillinger, the rest were members or part of the pool of the previous RP Team coached by Chot Reyes.

Guiao said the team he assembled is blessed with speed, scoring ability and athleticism.

The team has an average ceiling of 6-foot-4.

"It is not as big as I would want it to be. Sana meron nga tayong naturalized players na seven-footers who can match-up with the big players of the Middle East and probably Japan and Korea. But Mick and Asi are here so they can provide us with some size and match up to a certain degree," Guiao said.

"I am very confident of our talent from the point guards to the guards. They are potent players at those positions," he added.

Before going public of his choices, Guiao first revealed his roster to the PBA Board of Governors, who hosted him to a lunch meeting to show their support for the RP Team.

To underscore the seriousness with which people involved in the project are taking the mission, the PBA gave the green light for the all-pro squad to compete in the all-important qualifying competition leading up to the FIBA tournament

"We'll represent the country in the SEABA," Barrios announced in a joint press conference at the league's office in Libis, Quezon City.

With the go-signal, Guiao's team will see action in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship in May 2009, which serves as the qualifying event for the FIBA-Asia tilt.

No venue has yet been set for the SEABA competition, which Chot Reyes' RP team swept last year in Ratchaburi, Thailand en route to clinching a berth in the 2007 FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier in Tokushima, Japan.

Barrios said they have already informed the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas of the PBA board's decision through vice chairman and PBA Board member Ricky Vargas of Talk 'N Text.

The PBA Board thought it would be best if Guiao and his charges represent the country in that event rather than gamble with a different team.

"The SBP, particularly its president Manny Pangilinan, is very supportive of the PBA," said Barrios.

The SEABA joust will mean adjustment in the PBA calendar, however.

"We still don't know where and when exactly, but it's possible to take a one-week break (during the Fiesta Cup)," Barrios said.

Guiao said he will gather the team over dinner on Monday "to orient (the players), talk about the philosophy of the team, set the objectives and bond together."

Hard work begins on Nov. 24 when the team starts training at the San Juan Arena from 6-9 p.m.

Noticeably out of the team are Jimmy Alapag and Mark Caguioa, both members of the national team that placed ninth in the FIBA-Asia qualifying tournament for a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Guiao said he strongly considered the two but felt Alapag will be a mismatch against big guards while Caguioa's absence in the ongoing KFC PBA Philippine Cup due to injury makes it hard for Guiao to make an assessment of his readiness.

Japhet Aguilar, a 6-10 former Ateneo Blue Eagle now studying at Western Kentucky U, will be arriving in May and is willing to go through a tryout for the team, according to Guiao.

Barrios, who was seated next to Guiao when the RP coach made the announcement, said the team might compete in the Jones Cup and another short tournament in the Middle East as part of its preparations. He said the SBP is also working to host a pocket tournament to provide the team with enough games before it goes to battle.