College stars, PBL vet lead cagers list

Philippine Star
Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Collegiate stars Pong Escobal and Jervy Cruz and PBL back-to-back MVP Jason Castro head the provisional list of players making up the Harbour Centre-backed Philippine team competing in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand this December.

Erick Arejola, tasked by Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero to handle the preparation of the RP training team, said yesterday he would submit the names of 13 players to the SEA Games Task Force today.

Arejola, former member of La Salle varsity team in the 90s, said that Escobal and Cruz will be joining the training of the Nationals starting today.

The inclusion of Escobal and Cruz to the RP training team also delighted Romero.

“I saw them play several times and given enough time to train, they will click instantly with the RP team,” said Romero. “Pong’s presence will give us a lot of offensive options.”

Others in the roster are Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo, Erick dela Cuesta, Jonathan Fernandez, Boyet Bautista, Allan Salangsang, Eugene Tan, Lawrence Bonus, Patrick Cabahug and Jeff Chan.

Arejola, however, said the list is not yet final and it can be changed during the managers’ meeting. The team, according to Romero, is also eyeing Fil-Ams Gabe Norwood and Alex Crisano and La Salle center Rico Maierhofer and this year’s NCAA Finals MVP Ogie Menor.