After SEABA win, RP 5 preparing for FIBA-Asia

MANILA, Philippines – As the final horn sounded, signaling Powerade-Team Pilipinas’ 98-68 lopsided win over host Indonesia in the finals, coach Yeng Guiao remained at the bench huddled with long-time deputy Gee Abanilla, going over the game stats. The victory officially signaled the entry of the PBA-backed RP squad to the FIBA (International Basketball Federation)-Asia Men’s Championship along with runner-up Indonesia. Guiao left team captain Asi Taulava and the entire squad to celebrate and savor their victory in the 8th Southeast Asian Basketball Association Men’s Championship at the packed Angkasapura Lanud Basketball Hall in Medan, Indonesia, while he and Abanilla faced the reality of RP 5’s next big challenge of leading the country back to the world stage. Guiao, aside from making the difficult choice of cutting Team Pilipinas’ 15-man roster to 12, said they also need to fine tune their three-point shooting. “It’s time for the real test and the real thing," said Guiao. “Offensively, our three-point shooting is way below our expectations. We have good shooters in this team but for one reason or another, we’ve not been shooting that well, even during the All-Star series." Even with Guiao having reliable gunners James Yap, Cyrus Baguio, Willie Miller, Arwind Santos and Ryan Reyes in his fold, Team Pilipinas shot only 23.9 percent from the three-point zone in its first three games in the elimination phase compared to a combined 31.8 percent by their opponents. And that, Guiao said, is one of the major things the entire coaching staff would address when the team resumes its practice on June 16. Guiao and his deputies – Abanilla, Kenneth Duremdes and Rhoel Nadurata – will have less than two months to work on the teams’ outside shooting. The FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship is set on August 6 to 18 in Tianjin, China. “I’m sure we’ll be encountering a lot of zone defenses in China," said Guiao. Powerade-Team Pilipinas manager and Coca-Cola governor JB Baylon will attend the draw for the groupings in the FIBA-Asia tilt one day before Guiao resumes practice with the squad. Guiao said the SEABA tournament is just their “first big step" on the road to the World Championship. They are also preparing for next month’s Jones Cup in Taipei, which serves as a warm up for the FIBA-Asia tournament. “The Jones Cup is the real test. The FIBA-Asia is the real thing," Guiao said. “(The SEABA) is just a confidence builder, a way to see the character of these guys. Now we move on to tougher things." Other members of the team are Mick Pennissi, Kerby Raymundo, Jared Dillinger, Ranidel De Ocampo and Gabe Norwood. Kelly Williams, Sonny Thoss and Jayjay Helterbrand are also included in the 15-man lineup but are nursing various injuries, while Japeth Aguilar is attending an NBA Development League Camp in the US. – GMANews.TV