4 Fil-foreigners join RP tryouts

People's Journal
September 11, 2007

Not Only two but four Fil-foreigners showed up during the resumption of the Philippine team’s training at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum yesterday.

The four versatile guards impressed coach Junel Baculi and team manager Erick Arejola during their two-hour practice where they were given the chance to show their stuff against PBL standouts and former PBA players.

Fil-Iranian Amir Mazarei and Fil-American Kevin Dalafu were joined by Richard Cole and Kevyn White, both Fil-Am players.

While they showed solid fundamentals and excellent shooting form, the four are not tall and big enough which could be their disadvantage.

“They’re all shooters and they’re quick but they lack height,” said Arejola.
“But let’s see what happens in the next few days.”

Mazarei and Dalafu delighted a motley crowd with their deft outside shooting, while Cole, despite his lean frame, proved to be a tough defender.

White is as quick and deadly as his uncle, Talk ’N Text Jimmy Alapag.
The TNT star even accompanied White and stayed for about 30 minutes to watch the scrimmage.

Mazarei is listed at 5-foot-11 but he looks like he’s only 5-foot-9. Dalafu stands at 6-foot, White at 5-foot-10 and Cole at 6-foot-2.

Baculi said the four Fil-foreigners must have to compete against the locals and prove that they are better than them to earn slots to the national team that will see action in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand this December.

“If they can prove that they can outplay our local talents, then we might consider them for the national team,” said Baculi. “We’re already loaded sa 1-2 positions, so kailangan galingan nila.”

Former pro Boyet Bautista, Toyota Balintawak’s Erick Rodriguez and Eugene Tan also joined the practice.

Arejola and Baculi expect to finalize the composition of the team by the end of October or early November.

They’re also going to invite San Beda’s Pong Escobal, National University’s Jonathan Fernandez and Adamson’s Patrick Cabahug.