RP CAGE TEAM IN TAIPEI JONES
CUP
Mannila, Aug. 30, 1998
- The Philippine Centennial Team leaves today for the 1998 R. William Jones
Cup in Taipei, carrying high hopes of an impressive finish that could smoothen
the road in its drive for an Asian Games gold medal in December.
The Jones Cup campaign, set to begin tomorrow with a game against Saudi Arabia, will be the first international stint for the third team of Philippine Basketball Association stars formed to wage war in the Asiad.
And the team, sponsored by McDonald's among others, carries with it is realistic chances of winning the 19-nation event spread over one week- a feat last achieved by the fabled amateur team of Ron Jacobs back in 1985.
"I do really feel we can fare well in the Jones Cup," said RP coach Tim Cone, his confidence in his team all the more bolstered by the nationals' respectable stand in a tune-up game against China last Wednesday.
Aside from Saudi Arabia, seven other national teams will be seeing action in the annual event, which has grown to be recognized as the most prestigious cage tournament in the region outside of the Asiad and the ABC.
At least seven of those national quintets - namely Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and host Chinese-Taipei - will also see action in the Asiad cage meet in Bangkok in December.
But looming as the Philippine team's biggest rival for the championship is South Korea, which has opted not to send its national quintet but, instead will bring a club team with some national players in it.
The 7:50 p.m. game against the Saudis on Sunday kicks off a hectic week for the all-pro team, which has been bracketed in Group B with Japan, Latin America entry Costa Rica and Southeast Asian rival Thailand.
After a break on Monday, the nationals face Japan Tuesday, Thailand on Wednesday and Costa Rica on Thursday, needing to win at least three of their four games to earn a place in the weekend's crossover semifinals.
Korea is the consensus top pick in the relatively tougher Group A, which also has Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan and host Chinese-Taipei.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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