Cebuana Lhuillier back as RP cage supporter

PHILIPPINE women’s basketball has found a friend.

Cebuana Lhuillier, a staunch backer of sports in the country, has added the RP women’s team to its family as it agreed to support the cagebelles from their participation in next month’s SEABA and the Southeast Asian Games in December, to be held both in Thailand.

“Basketball is one sport that is very close to my heart and even when I temporarily left the national basketball program of BAP a couple of years ago, I knew eventually we would be back, and here we are, answering a call for support, this even as we are already involved with tennis and softball on a national level” said Lhuillier.

Several years back, Cebuana Lhuillier was the main backer of the RP men’s basketball team competing in SEABA.

The team won championships under the tutelage of coaches Aric del Rosario, Boyzie Zamar and Dong Vergeire.

The unified Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas-Basketball Association of the Philippines (SBP-BAP) approached Lhuillier this time to support the women’s squad that will be beefed up by several Fil-foreign players.

“We do not want to put any monetary figures with our assistance program as even in the past, we helped the men’s team regarding its many needs -- travel subsidy, allowances, equipment -- even the use of our own facilities as team quarters, plus incentives for their good performance abroad. It will be the same with the women’s team. In that sense, we will help them in whatever way we can, after the SEA Games, we will evaluate the result of our participation “ added Lhuillier.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment with the national women’s squad also confirmed that it is temporarily pulling out its participation in the PBL.

Luigi Trillo, head coach of Pera Padala in the PBL, will be given a special role as consultant in the RP women’s squad to be handled by Fritz Gaston and assisted by former RP mentor Bai Cristobal and Haidee Ong.

In a meeting with Gaston, who updated him on the team’s present condition, Lhuillier expressed confidence that the squad will give a good account of itself in the coming SEABA championship, a fitting preparation to the SEA Games.

“I understand some Fil-Ams have already confirmed their participation in the team both for the SEABA and the SEA games, and this development will definitely strengthen the team,” said Lhuillier.

On their part, SBP- BAP’s Executive Director Pato Gregorio said the NSA’s appreciation for the much-needed help extended by Cebuana Lhuillier to the women’s team.

“We have long term plans for Philippine basketball and that will include women’s basketball and with the return of Cebuana Lhuillier as a sponsor, we look forward with excitement to the future,” said Gregorio.