Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Black to tap from deep college hoops pool for 2011 SEA Games

This appears in the Thursday March 3, 2011 edition of the Business Mirror.

Black to tap from deep college hoops pool for 2011 SEA Games
by rick olivares

The 26th Southeast Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia is eight months away but already a cast of college basketball stars are vying to land a place in the final roster of 15 that will be coached by the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ three-peat winning mentor Norman Black.

Among those trying out for the Under-23 National Basketball Team are Ateneo de Manila’s Emman Monfort, Justin Chua, Nico Salva, and Frank Golla; Far Eastern University’s RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo; University of the Philippines’ Magi Sison; University of the East’s James Martinez; University of Santo Tomas’ Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista; National University’s Bobby Ray Parks; Adamson’s Lester Alvarez; San Sebastian College’s Calvin Abueva, Pamboy Raymundo, Ronald Pascual, and Ian Sangalang; and San Beda College’s Dave Marcelo, Anjo Caram, and Jake Pascual. (I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE THE FULL LIST THAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE PLAYERS)

Assisting Black are former FEU Tamaraws head coach Glenn Capacio and Blue Eagle assistants Sandy Arespacochaga and Jamike Jarin.

With the college basketball season fast approaching, Black realizes that he will lose some of potential players to their respective school teams. “We’ve got some talented players trying out and it will be interesting to see the final composition of the team,” said the American mentor. “For now we practice three times a week but that should go down to once a week once the season starts. I don’t think we’ll be able to get everyone for every practice but I hope to tap some other players to help us train.”

Black also made mention of movement within the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas that can alter any plans of the team and its coaching staff. “Noli (former SBP Executive Director Emmanuel Eala) intended for the Under-23 team to compete in the SEABA (Southeast Asia Basketball Association) championships since Smart Gilas is currently playing in the PBA but until there’s a new executive director then we’re going to have to wait and see what happens.”

The national team’s home base is at the Blue Eagles’ training complex of the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in the Ateneo campus in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

The 2011 Sea Games will be held from November 11-22.

4 comments:

  1. Noticeably absent from those trying out are the players from La Salle. Ano naman, pang Pinas na ito.

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  2. Let's not judge. C'mon. I think I might have even missed a few players here and there. The info I got (is from the players) by no means says that's final or what. Will attend a practice next time to get all the names. In fact, other schools do not have players as well.

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  3. Some of the players who tried out were:

    Greg Slaughter of Univ. of Visayas/ADMU
    Japeth Aguilar of Western kentucky U.
    Aldrech Ramos of Far Eastern U.
    Kiefer Ravena of ADMU
    Anthony Semarad of San Beda
    Chris Newsome of New Mexico Highlands Univ.
    Alex Nuyles of Adamson U.
    Rome Dela Rosa of San beda
    Garvo Lanete of San beda

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  4. I'm looking forward to the final composition of this team. I've been trying to find news regarding this since last year. It's fun watching young, enthusiastic (hopefully) players do their thing after all.

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