It’s final: PH cagers taking on Asian Games

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters star James Yap is leading the lineup of Philippine players who will compete in the 2018 Asian Games men’s basketball in Palembang, Indonesia starting this month. PBA

MANILA – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas revived its plan to send a delegation to the 2018 Asian Games men’s basketball in Palembang, Indonesia – with an apparent intervention from Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.

Like the original plan, the Philippines will be represented by the core of the PBA’s Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Yeng Guiao, head coach of NLEX Road Warriors, will mentor the team.

Go confirmed he spoke with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA chair and Philippine Sports Commission head Ricky Vargas, and SBP president Al Panlilio with regard to sending a team to the once-in-four-years games.

“I was assured (by the SBP) that the lineup will be strong,” Go said in an interview on Sunday.

LINEUP

James Yap is leading the 14-man Philippine team that will compete in the Asian Games from Aug. 14 to Sept. 1.

Joining him are Painters teammates Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, Chris Tiu, and Maverick Ahanmisi.

Also in the lineup are NLEX Road Warriors’ JR Quiñahan and Asi Taulava, San Miguel Beermen’s Christian Standhardinger, Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee, Blackwater Elite’s John Erram, and GlobalPort Batang Pier’s Stanley Pringle.

Gilas Pilipinas cadets Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras – also reserve players for the UAAP’s University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons – are in the roster, too.

Painters coach Carlos Garcia will assist Guiao.

The SBP turned to Painters – the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup third placer – when the core of TNT KaTropa, originally tapped for the Asian Games along with some Gilas cadets, pulled out after some of its players were suspended in light of a brawl with Australian players in a World Cup Asian Qualifier game.

Rain or Shine team owner Raymond Yu confirmed the development.

Tuloy, kanina lang naayos,” Yu told FOX Sports Philippines in a phone interview on Sunday.

“But I was told as early as few days ago that there’s a big chance it will push through. Now, it’s happening. We’re representing the country in the Asian Games,” Yu added./PN

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