Rain or Shine-backed PHL team to participate in Asiad basketball — owner Raymond Yu

TALKING about change of heart, it looks like the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has decided to send a team in the coming Asian Games and Rain or Shine, which was tapped to represent the country in the biennial meet, will continue to carry the country’s colors in the quadrennial meet just as planned.

Rain or Shine team owner Raymond Yu confirmed this development to BusinessWorld in a telephone interview.

“Yes, we’re going to the Asian Games and we were just informed (Sunday) today. There’s a scheduled press conference (Sunday) and additional information as far as who are the players who will be loaned to us will be revealed,” Mr. Yu said.

According to Mr. Yu, he was informed on the possibility of his team going to the Asian Games a few days ago. Last week, the SBP, the country’s governing body in basketball, told mediamen that they are pulling out from participation in the Asian Games after Yeng Guiao, who was tasked by the Elasto Painters to handle the national team to the quadrennial meet, did not get the players he requested.

This time, the SBP is carrying a different tune and informed the Elasto Painters that they can form a team headed to the Asiad with the support of the PBA.

Rain or Shine has been an active supporter of the national team past and present.

In 2012, when Gilas Pilipinas started to form the team heading to the World Cup qualifier, the team had already loaned Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan and Beau Belga. Other past and present players who also saw action for the national team include Paul Lee and Raymond Almazan.

Two other present members of the Elasto Painters also had experience playing in major international competitions – James Yap (2009 FIBA Asia Championship handled by Guiao) and Chris Tiu (2011 FIBA Asia Championship under Rajko Toroman). —