Archers willing to don RP colors

by Joey Villar
Philippine Star
Thursday, October 11, 2007

Newly crowned UAAP champion De La Salle yesterday offered some of its top players to backstop the national team seeing action in the 24th Southeast Asian Games following San Beda’s withdrawal of two of its stalwarts.

“Of course, La Salle will allow them to play. It’s an honor for all of us to represent the country,” said Bro. Bernie Oca, La Salle Office of the Sports Development head.

San Beda, which swept Letran to clinch its second straight NCAA crown, the other day recalled star players Rogemar Menor and Pong Escobal from the national team competing in this year’s SEA Games slated Dec. 6-16 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Rico Maeirhofer, JV Casio, Cholo Villanueva and TY Tang, who helped power the Archers past the University of the East Warriors in the recent UAAP finals, have all signified their intention to join the RP team out to capture the SEAG gold medal it last won four years ago in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“The only snag would be academics but patriotism takes a greater role,” said Chuck Buenaventura, La Salle’s board representative who also heads the country’s gymnastics association.

San Beda cited academics as the reason why it pulled out Menor and Escobal from the RP squad. It also said that the Lions have committed themselves to play in the Champions League, which features the champion schools in various collegiate leagues in the country.

Menor, the 2007 NCAA Finals MVP, and Escobal could have given the RP team a big push in the Thailand joust. But the entry of Maeirhofer, Tang and 2007 UAAP Finals co-MVP Casio and Villanueva would be more than enough to fill the void.

“I have no problem with them joining the RP team,” said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren, himself a many-time former national team player.

The squad the other day left for Seoul to play a series of exhibition games as part of its buildup for the SEA Games.