RP NATIONAL CAGE TEAM IN
TROUBLE
Manila, March 16, 1999
- The Philippine national basketball team is scheduling more tryouts, in
a desperate attempt to fill in the void left by players removed from the
roster for injuries, and the continuing absence of two cagers.
The Metropolitan Basketball Association's 1998 topgun Biboy Simon, is currently recovering from surgery for a torn knee ligament, and has been ordered by doctors to rest for two months.
Coach Louie Alas was forced to drop Simon from the national squad, along with 6-foot-6 center Jovy Sese, Simon's Laguna Lakers teammate who will be out of commission for a month because of knee fluids.
Former MBA MVP John Ferriols and Dondon Hontiveros added to the headaches of coach Alas with their continued absence, giving a shaky foundation to the team being formed to represent the country in three international tournaments.
The Philippines is set to defend its Southeast Asian Basketball Association title in Manila in July and its Southeast Asian Games crown in Brunei in August. Also in August, the country will seek an Olympic berth in the Asian Basketball Confederation championship in Japan.
Those who have appeared in the tryouts called by the Basketball Association of the Philippines were 6-foot-6 Rommel Adducul, 6-foot-6 Celedon Camaso and 6-foot-flat Gilbert Demape of the Manila Metrostars, 6-foot-4 Dave Bautista and 6-foot-flat Ato Morano of the Pampanga Dragons, 5-foot-11 Willie Miller of the Nueva Ecija Patriots, 5-foot-11 Wynne Arboleda of the Laguna Lakers, 6-foot-3 Eddie Laure of the Batangas Blades, 6-foot-6 Kerby Raymundo of the Letran Knights and 6-foot-2 Gherome Ejercito and 6-foot-1 Christian Calaguio of the San Juan Knights.
University Athletic Association of the Philippines MVP Don Allado (6-foot-6) of Welcoat and Homer Se (6-foot-5) of the Gems have also been invited to participate in the tryouts being held Tuesdays and Fridays at the Letran gym.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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