9 players sign up for RP youth development team

MANILA, Philippines – Big names like Rico Maierhoffer, Jervy Cruz, and Rogemar Menor are not part of the national developmental team, but Serbian coach Rajko Toroman believes he has the right players whom he needs to bring the Philippines back to its once lofty status in basketball. “We’re on the right track and the quality of players in the team is very high," said Toroman, who is tasked to lead the country to victory in next year’s Asian Games and a seat in the 2012 London Olympics. Nine players have already signed on the contract presented by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), while four more are expected to do the same thing within the week bringing to 13 the pool of players to train under Toroman. Players who signed up are collegiate standouts Mark Barroca and JR Cawaling of the Far Eastern University, Dylan Ababou of the University of Santo Tomas, Rey Guevarra and Carlo Jazul of Letran College, Rabeh Al Hussaini and Ryan Buenafe of UAAP champion Ateneo, Maggi Sison of the Univesity of the Philippines, and Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian College. Expected to also sign up are Ateneo hot shot Chris Tiu, Mac Baracael of FEU, La Salle’s JV Casio and University of Visayas Filipino-German center Greg Slaughter. The 6-foot-6 Maierhoffer of La Salle and San Beda’s Menor joined the tryouts but never returned, while 6-foot-4 do-it-all forward Cruz, who played for UST, never showed up. Veteran guard Marcy Arellano, who was part of the Philippine team that won the crown in an invitational tournament in China last December, also opted out. University of the East’s Paul Lee, who emerged as the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) PG Flex Linoleum Cup’s best player, begged off until after the 2009 UAAP season, while University of Cebu’s 6-foot-9 center Junmar Fajardo has yet to get his approval from his mother team competing in the CESAFI. A total of 15 players are being eyed to complete to pool with UST’s Chester Taylor, FEU’s Aldrech Ramos, and former Ateneo center Ford Arao contesting the other slots. – GMANews.TV