|
IN what would serve as its penultimate test before it
flies to Tokushima for the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship late next
month, San Miguel-Pilipinas takes on world power United States on
July 2 when the William Jones Cup unfolds in Chinese-Taipei.
The Nationals next face Lebanon
on July 3, Japan on the 4th, South Korea on the 5th, Jordan on the
6th, Iran on the 7th, Chinese-Taipei on the 8th, Qatar on the 9th,
and Kazakhstan on the 10th, drawing to near close extensive
preparations in the country’s bid to send a basketball team to the
Olympic Games for the first time since 1972 in Munich.
“Tough, no matter how it plays
out,” said national coach Chot Reyes. ”But I would have
preferred USA later. Otherwise, it’s fine.”
A four-nation Manila In-vitational,
which would feature Syria, Lebanon, China and the Philippines, is
scheduled for the national team after the Jones Cup.
Meanwhile, Ginebra’s Eric Menk,
Purefoods’ James Yap and Sta. Lucia Realty’s Kelly Williams,
along with Air21’s Nino Canaleta, yesterday attended for the first
time the SMC-RP practice at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, and all
expressed thrill at having been invited to training. Morning session
was devoted for weights and shoot around, while the afternoon
involved 5-on-5 scrimmages.
Menk, a member of the RP team
that came within a heartbeat of advancing to gold medal play in the
Asian Games in Busan five years ago, said he was excited to report
for practice. ”But not to be with Asi [Taulava],” Menk,
laughing, said after practice.
Taulava, who was within earshot,
responded while tinkering with his laptop: “Don’t believe what
he said. He loves me.”
Menk, who admitted he would’ve
wanted to be with the team from the beginning, said he has no
expectations about his inclusion now.
“Coach didn’t guarantee me
anything. I’m just happy to be here. I hope to play hard as I can
in the Jones Cup, be a team player and help the team as much as I
can.”
Yap insisted he felt no rancor
when he wasn’t originally selected. ”Hindi sumama ang loob ko
dahil nirerespeto ko ang desisyon ng mga RP coaches,” said Yap,
the 2006 PBA most valuable player.
“Alam nila kung sino ang
karapat-dapat sa team. ”The call to attend RP team practice
overwhelmed him nonetheless, Yap said, and prompted him to reset a
scheduled vacation, including a planned trip with his wife Kris to
celebrate their wedding anniversary next month.
|
