Harbour Centre-RP Squad may misyon sa SEABA

Punumpuno ng kumpiyansa at pag-asa ang 14-man Harbour Centre-Philippine team na aalis ngayon patungong Jakarta, Indonesia para makilahok sa SEABA Club Champions Cup at hangad nilang muling maibalik ang bansa sa glorya sa larangan ng basketball.

"We’re now ready," sabi ni Harbour-RP coach Junel Baculi bago ang huling practice session ng koponan sa Xavier School gym sa San Juan. "We’ll be going there with a mission order and that is to win the tournament."

Batid kung gaano ka-importante ang torneong ito, sinabi ni Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero, naghanda ng mabuti ang koponan upang muling makuha ang respeto ng mga kalapit na bansa.

"After the lifting of the country’s suspension from FIBA, it’s now time to bring back the old glory. We have to restore our tarnished image and I’m very happy that everyone is helping us in our quest to be No. 1 again," ani Romero, ang gumastos sa training at participation ng PBL stars.

Ang four-day tournament na magsisimula bukas ay ang unang official tournament ng Philippine team sa ilalim ng bagong tatag na Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, sa pamumuno ni Manny V. Pangilinan.

Mataas din ang morale ng dalawang imports na sina Nigerian Julius Nwosu at American Vidal Massiah na nagsabing karangalan nila ang maglaro para sa bansa.

"Julius has played for the pro league for so many years and he’s happy to be back and play for the country," wika ni assistant team manager Erick Arejola. "Vidal is married to a half-Filipina, so he’s also excited."

Malaking tulong ang 6-foot-9 na si Nwosu at ang 6-foot-6 na si Massiah para sa Harbour-RP na kulang sa height.

"The addition of Nwosu and Massiah gives the team an imposing look," ani Arejola. "With his huge frame, he’s going to be the center of attraction in Jakarta."

Plano ni Baculi, may-ari ng dalawang Asian Club Championships, na gamitin si Nwosu sa kanyang starting unit kasama ang playmaker na si Marvin Cruz ng Toyota Balintawak at sina Port Masters Jason Castro at JC Intal, at Massiah.