SBP’s Pangilinan exhorts Ateneo to represent the country well in the Jones Cup

SBP’s Pangilinan exhorts Ateneo to represent the country well in the Jones Cup

by rick olivares

MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman Emeritus of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas met with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles during a sendoff prior to the 40^th staging of the William Jones Cup wherein the defending UAAP champions and titlists in three preseason tournaments will represent the country in the annual cage meet.

“With the ongoing season for the Philippine Basketball Association where all our national players are still participating, and our Gilas Cadets all seeing action in various leagues, we felt that it was best to send a team that has performed well and has the cohesion to compete,” said Pangilinan.

The William Jones Cup will be held from 14-22 July at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan.

The appointment of Ateneo comes at a time when the national team is taxed to the limit given the ongoing Fiba investigations after the incident between the Philippines and Australia last July 2.

Veteran national and former Ateneo coach Joe Lipa confirmed that this is the first time that a collegiate squad will represent the country. The previous iterations might have had a more La Salle flavor to the Northern Consolidated Squad but it also featured stars from other schools such as San Beda and Letran as well as some naturalized players.

“The task will not be easy,” underscored Pangilinan. “Other teams will also send their collegians but most will feature senior or junior national teams aided by imports. But that is how we as Filipinos go about it – as underdogs with a sense of purpose and a determination to prove our worthwhile representing our country. In my opinion, that is a powerful combination.”

Former Philippine national coach Tab Baldwin, who is currently the Ateneo mentor will oversee the Ateneo team’s campaign. The Filipinos will only have freshman center Angelo Kouame from Ivory Coast to battle the foreign behemoths.

Baldwin might possibly activate 6’5” Filipino-Canadian Matthew Daves to give the Philippines some additional ceiling for the tournament.

“All we can do is give our very best and hope for the best,” summed up Pangilinan.

The campaign of the Ateneo team to the 40^th William Jones Cup is sponsored by Smart Sports.