‘NEVER SAY DIE’ PH BASKETBALL TEAM
A TEAM willing and determined to bring honors to the country and the word Filipino will carry the Philippines’ red, white and blue colors in basketball hostilities of the forthcoming 18h Asian Game in Indonesia.
This was what head coach Yeng Guiao thinks of the lineup he finalized just three days ago can be able to accomplished when it plunges into action starting six days from now
The Nationals are made up of Maverick Ahanmisi, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood, James Yap, all of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters; Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee, Christian Standhardinger of the San Miguel Beermen; GlobalPort Batang Pier’s Stanley Pringle, Poy Erram of the Blackwater Elite; and NLEX Road Warriors’ Asi Taulava.
“I’m happy to have this team,” Guiao told The Manila Times in an interview hours before the team’s departure on Sunday. “Happy, because in so short a time of one week, we were able to assemble this group of young boys ready to sacrifice for flag country knowing that under normal circumstances they won’t be able to make it as members of the national team.”
“And they’re happy, too, we, in the coaching staff know. Alam nila maigsi lamang ang panahon ng ensayo na kahit anong ipagawa namin, ginawa nila, walang reklamo. Isinisigaw nga nila habang nage- ensayo, para sa bayan ito,” Guiao disclosed.
“First and foremost, they love the country. They love the sport at alam nilang naatasan lang sila dahil sa pangyayaring di naman nila kasalanan, they’re willing to do everything to save Philippine basketball,” Guiao reasoned out.
“Never say die itong mga batang ito with due respect to newly- crowned PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion Baragay Ginebra,” he added chuckling. “Patay kung patay, sabi nga natin.”
“In fairness, this team is not short talents. I won’t even say that we lack the needed time to prepare,” he temperamental bench tactician assessed.
“Malakas ang team. We have shooters from outside. We have slashers, rebounders, speed to run our game. We have a little of everything, these boys are all pros na marurunong maglaro,” he explained. “Imagine Asi, 45 years- old na yan, rume-rebound na tumatakbo pa at sumi-syut pa from three-point area.”
“Paano ka naman hindi matutuwa sa mga nagawa ng mga batang ito?” Guiao asked. “Ang maipangangako lang namin sa ating mga kababayan ay ito - maglalaro kami sa Asian Games at hind kami gagawa ng mga bagay na mapapahiya ang ating bayan.:
“Matatalo kami, given yan. But we will be coming back home na nakataas ang ulo naming. Maaring wala kaming madalang medalya, but what we will be bringing home ay karangalan para sa bansang Piipinas at sa salitang Pilipino,” Guiao vowed.