RP WOMEN TO PLAY BALL IN BANGKOK
Manila, September 2, 1998 - Playing catch-up with its neighbors, the Philippines is cramming to put together a women's basketball team to represent the country in the Asian Games in December.
It will be the first time in Asian Games history for the Philippines to field a women's squad, and it's quite a formidable field the first-time Filipina cagers will challenge -- World Championships and Atlanta Olympics veterans China and Japan.
While their male counterparts are automatically expected to dominate, or even grab the gold, the women dribblers will be in the Bangkok Asiad merely for the experience.
''Sending the women dribblers to the Asiad is a commitment. And we stand by our commitment,'' said Graham Lim, secretary general of the Basketball Association of the Philippines.
Lim admitted the nationals have small chances of entering the medal round in the prestigious event. Aside from China and South Korea, the Asiad also features South Korea, Thailand and Kazakhstan.
''It's fair to say that winning a medal is a remote possibility. For us, to make the medal round should be a cause for celebration. But being able to compete against world class foes will result to good things in the future,'' Lim said.
Composed mostly of holdovers from last year's Jakarta SEA Games, the women's team has been religiously practising since the start of the year at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Lack of international exposure due to lack of sponsors in direct contrast to the men's team, however, hampered the team development. The team was also unable to improve due to lack of competition from local teams seeing action in the UAAP, NCRAA and the WNCAA.
Meanwhile, here is an announcement for women interested in joining the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Women's Tournament. Tryouts for the inaugural PBL Women's Tournament which will start October 17 will be held Sept. 20 (1-5 p.m.) at the Makati Sports Coliseum. Those interested may contact Ms. Nida Oliveros at tel. nos 897-63-83 and 899-25-40.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 1998 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved