PHL will have a basketball team in 2018 Asian Games, says SBP

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on Sunday said it will send a delegation to the Asian Games in Indonesia this month, effectively retracting its earlier statement.

In a press conference over the weekend, officials of the SBP and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) said the Philippines will have a delegation in the upcoming continental sporting event.

BREAKING: Delegasyon ng Pilipinas sa larangan ng basketball sa nalalapit na ASIAN Games sa Indonesia, ipadadala na, ayon sa Samahan ng Baskeball ng Pilipinas at PBA. | via @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/Wt8vZaUC2X

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 5, 2018

This was confirmed by Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher "Bong" Go in a separate statement.

"Nagkasundo na ang PBA at ng SBP at napag desisyonan po na magpapadala tayo ng team sa 2018 Asian Games sa Indonesia. Resulta po ito ng pakikipag usap ko sa dalawang grupo na kapwa naman maluwag na kinonsidera ang gusto natin na magpadala ng koponan sa nasabing palaro.  Sayang po kasi ang pagkakataon pag pinalampas natin," he said.

Just last month, the SBP said it would not send a delegation to Indonesia, in preparation for appealing sanctions imposed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) following the brawl between Philippine and Australian players during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

The Asian Games initial lineup, according to posts by GMA Super Radyo dzBB, will include Maverick Ahanmisi, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, JP Erram, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero, Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, Asi Taulava, Chris Tiu, Don Trollano, and James Yap.

Asian Games lineup:

Maverick Ahanmisi
Chris Tiu
Gabe Norwood
James Yap
Beau Belga
Raymond Almazan
Stanley Pringle
Paul Lee
JP Erram
Don Trollano
Christian Standhardinger
Asi Taulava
Kobe Paras
Ricci Rivero

Coach Yeng says Final 12 to be determined before leaving for Asian Games https://t.co/B59ULJIacu

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 5, 2018

Coach Joseller "Yeng" Guiao said the final 12 will be determined before leaving for the games which will be held from August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia.

Go said that the Philippine team will enjoy the full support of the President.

"Maaasahan ng Philippine delegates sa Asian Games ang buong suporta ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Andito kami para suportahan ang mga manlalarong Pilipino na magdadala ng karangalan sa ating bansa," he said. — BM, GMA News