Fil-fors headed to PBL, not SEAG?

By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star
Saturday, September 22, 2007

The four Fil-foreign players hoping to make the Harbour Centre-RP team have been advised to look for possible PBL teams instead of continuing to practice with the Nationals without guarantee of a slot to the SEA Games-bound squad.

National coach Junel Baculi told The STAR Kevyn White, Kevin Delafu, Amir Mazarei and Richard Cole are now excused from the RP team’s daily practice, allowing them to try out with ball clubs looking to beef up their lineup from the PBL draft set Sept. 28.

“They’re still welcome to re-join us after the PBL draft but without guarantee of making it to the team,” said Baculi.

“All four are shooters. The problem is that we’re filled with players playing the same position. What we need is big men,” Baculi stressed.

Wingmen who are seemingly having the brighter prospects of making it to the team are Jonathan Fernandez, Eric dela Cuesta and Patrick Cabahug.

“Fernandez and Dela Cuesta are tested players. Fernandez has proven his worth in the SEABA Champions Cup while Dela Cuesta has shown his stuff in the Brunei Cup. We’ve yet to see Cabahug in international play but he showed his worth in the UAAP,” said Baculi.

Among the four Fil-foreign players, Cole, 21, seemed to make the best impression. “He’s 6-foot-4 who looks like Tayshaun Prince. But he’s too young. He’s a good material maybe for the next SEA Games,” said Baculi.

The RP team coaching staff plans to finalize the lineup after the collegiate basketball season or after the likes of Pong Escobal, Jervy Cruz, Mark Borboran and Rico Maierhofer have shown up in practice.

Baculi are looking at Cruz, Borboran and Maierhofer to strengthen their frontcourt.

Escobal, meanwhile, seems already shoo-in to take over from Christian Coronel who has turned pro, signing up with the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

Baculi has promised veteran guard Eugene Tan of a slot if he’s able to trim down by at least 15 pounds. “He could be our third guard. He’s an enforcer. We may need a player like him,” said Baculi, who’s other playmaker is ex-pro Boyet Bautista.

Big men in the current pool are Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian, Lawrence Bonus of St. Francis of Assisi, Beau Belga of PCU, Chad Alonzo of Adamson, Jerwin Gaco of La Salle and Allan Salangsang of Letran.

“Jervy Cruz, Rico Maierhofer and Borboran are sure to make an impact. That’s the selection process,” said Baculi.

Having played one international tourney in Brunei, the RP team’s next trip could be Korea or Chinese Taipei for a series of exhibition games in the first week of October.

“We’re looking at a trip where we can simulate what we’ll do in the SEA Games – a week of daily games,” said Baculi.