Asia League: A must try for PBA

MACAU — So the IECO Green Warriors had just wrapped up their Asia League Terrific 12 Tournament winless, but not after giving up a fight in their second and last game of their group stage match against the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, the former team of

Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche.

The Green Warriors, owned by Dioceldo Sy of Blackwater, had been given the exposure in the Asian level that is getting tougher by the day. The league had brought in top-tier teams from China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea among others and to see a Philippine representative out there that was put up two weeks before the start of the tournament and able to come up with a gallant stand in the final day is all worth it.

The IECO Green Warriors are composed of a selection of players from the MPBL, the D-League, two players from Blackwater in the PBA, a few other Fil-Ams and imports.

Watching the Asia League Terrific 12 is like seeing a glorified William Jones Cup event — or even more, which is why Sy wants his group to put up a team again next year.

“By next year, we’re going to field in our team, Blackwater, to compete there,” Sy said. “It’s a strong league and this is good for the PBA as well because it is going to open its doors to the Asian level.”

Sy encourages his fellow PBA owners to give the Asia League a try because competing there is all worth it and it would give them a taste of how Asian level competition is being played.

“I even asked the organizers to reserve at least two more slots for the PBA. I’m talking to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial on the possibility of PBA teams competing there. We just have to work on our calendar,” added Sy.

For Ariel Vanguardia, who made his return in coaching after last handling the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Asian basketball is growing.

“I think everybody is at the same level and I’m happy to see that the region is growing,” added Vanguardia, who steered the Matthew Wright-led Westport Malaysia Dragons to a championship a few years ago which earned him a ticket to coaching in the PBA.

In the Asia League Terrific 12, several notable standouts were able to showcase their wares, among them include local players Gab Banal and Matt Salem, two players from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, a league put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao, and has become the fastest growing regional basketball league in the Philippines.

In the two games they played, Banal and Salem averaged in double figures.

The son of multi-titled champion player and coach Joel Banal, who plays for the Bacoor Strikers, averaged 12.5 points and four rebounds per game.

Salem, a deadshot shooter who plays for the Navotas Clutch, averaged 11.5 points and five rebounds a game.

Asia League is growing and wait until next year where teams from Australia and New Zealand possibly joins the competition.

Brian Goorjian, a six-time champion in Australia’s NBL and six-time Coach of the Year in the same league, said that it will only be a matter of time before the Asia League becomes similar to the NBA Summer League.