Yeng dashes to form Asiad squad

Time is running out for head coach Yeng Guiao as he assembles the national squad that would compete in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta next month.

After emerging from a four-hour meeting with the Philippine Basketball Association board of governors yesterday, Guiao was told to choose his final roster from a pool composed of Rain or Shine players, Gilas Pilipinas cadets, NLEX stalwarts and a couple of Filipino-American stars, including Jordan Clarkson of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He is expected to announce his final lineup today, giving Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Olympic Committee very little time to submit it to the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia since the deadline of the submission of names had already lapsed last June 30.

Aside from Clarkson, also included in the pool are Fil-Ams David Semerad, Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle as well as junior stars Abu Tratter, AJ Edu, Dalph Panopio, Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras.

Elasto Painters Raymund Almazan, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, James Yap, Chris Tiu, Jewel Ponferada, Ed Daquiaog, Maverick Ahanmisi and Jay Washington were also tapped as well as NLEX stalwarts Michael Miranda, Raul Soyud and JR Quinahan.

“Coach Yeng is already finalizing the roster as of the moment,” said SBP president and Meralco governor Al Panlilio.

“We’re rushing him to really come up with a lineup already.”

“We have an initial list. We’ll submit 15 names but coach Yeng will finalize. Then, once he’s ready to submit, SBP will give it to POC and POC will submit to Indonesia.”

The PBA board initially decided to allow Talk ‘N Text to send its nucleus in a bid to redeem the country from a humiliating seventh-place finish in the prestigious quadrennial competition in Incheon in 2014.

But five members of the squad in Jason Castro, Terrence Romeo, Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy and naturalized player Andray Blatche got embroiled in an ugly brawl with Australia in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier early this month.

This incident prompted SBP officials to rethink their position and asked the organizers for more time to change their final roster using their good relationship with the Indonesians, who are their hosting partners in the FIBA World Cup in 2023 together with Japan.

“We’re hoping INASGOC understands what happened and we’re hoping OCA will give us the leeway to submit a new set of names,” Panlilio said.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the decision to allow the Elasto Painters to represent the country wouldn’t really hurt the calendar of the pro league, which is already battered by delays brought by the Asian qualifier.

“The board has a one-team policy as far as the Asian Games is concerned,” said Marcial, adding that only Rain or Shine will have to catch up since it will be out for a total of 15 days.

“The existing schedule of other teams (in the Governor’s Cup) will not be hampered. We will make some adjustments only for Rain or Shine.”

Panlilio said they are already leaving it up to OCA if it will allow Clarkson to see action as a local player.

So far, SBP is reaching out to the Cavaliers’ front office headed by chairman Dan Gilbert and general manager Koby Altman to discuss the possibility of releasing him to the Philippine squad.

“SBP executive director Sonny Barrios wrote to the Cavs last night and the initial indication was everything is okay. Cleveland, however, just wants to formalize everything.”

“Of course, NBA has to approve it. If the Cavs say they’re okay, most probably the NBA will say it’s okay also.”

The next step, though, would be the hardest as Clarkson’s fate lies on OCA’s hand.

“It’s up to OCA whether he’s eligible to play in the Asian Games. Currently, we’re negotiating with him on the possibility of playing for us.”

According to the OCA by-laws, competitors will be eligible if they comply with the following qualifications such as being born in the country they represent and having lived there continuously for a period of not less than three years.

They must have also became naturalized and have permanent residence in the country they wish to represent.

Still, Panlilio is keeping his fingers crossed.

“I’m hoping everything falls into place.”

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