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Versatility, depth reasons why Cardona not on RP hoops team - Guiao


MANILA, Philippines - National coach Yeng Guiao insisted that he made the right decision to pick Cyrus Baguio over Mac Mac Cardona for the 14-man pool tasked to compete in the FIBA-Asia Championships next year in China. Cardona's absence on the RP roster was magnified in the KFC Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Sunday, after the Talk N Text guard erupted for a career-high 42 points that helped the Tropang Texters beat Guiao's Red Bull Barakos 103-93. Guiao said versatility was a primary factor that determined his choice. "It's not every night that you'll score 42 points, particularly in international competition," Guiao said on Monday. "So the question is, 'what other things can he give to the team?'" Cardona said after the game that he felt he "deserved" to be on the RP squad. "This is a message to coach Yeng that I can play for his team," he said after establishing a new conference high. Guiao admitted that after his performance, Cardona merited "a second look". But the Nationals were already deep at the two-guard spot. "Mac-Mac would have to compete for playing time with a lot of guys," Guiao said. "There's [Willie] Miller, James Yap, Jay-Jay Helterbrand. All of them are scorers." Baguio, whose game at the professional level developed under Guiao with Red Bull, finished with 10 points on Sunday. Guiao also defended his choice of rookie Jared Dillinger, Cardona's Talk N Text teammate, saying Dillinger was a rare player who can play the 1-2-3 positions. "Cardona is more of a scorer, but Jared has the size and he can play defense as well," Guiao said. - GMANews.TV

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