SBP deploys strong squad

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is leaving no stone unturned as far as its participation in the basketball event of the coming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Aside from going all-professional squad in the regular 5-on-5 event, the country’s basketball federation is also sending its strongest team for the 3×3 tournament with the pool also composed of players from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

And SBP president Al Panlilio hopes head coach Ronnie Magsanoc can find the best four players from the 12-man pool as the time is not on the side of the host country.

On Wednesday, the SBP named Tim Cone as the head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas that will see action in the biennial event set 30 November to 11 December and on the side, 12 PBA players were also announced who will compete for the four slots in the 3×3 squad.

FIBA Basketball World Cup campaigners Robert Bolick of NorthPort and Columbian Dyip’s CJ Perez lead the country’s pool of players in the 3×3 event, which is debuting in the SEA Games.

“Ronnie will guide them, different rules, so they have to familiarize themselves with 3×3, we’re looking for the four that plays together well. Chemistry is important to us,” Panlilio.

Also in the pool for the 3×3 team are Anthony Semerad (TNT KaTropa), Ian Sanggalang (Magnolia Hotshots), Mac Belo (Blackwater), Chris Banchero (Alaska), Raymond Almazan (Meralco), Chris Newsome (Meralco), Jason Perkins (Phoenix Pulse), Mo Tautua (Northport), Baser Amer (Meralco) and Terrence Romeo (San Miguel).