SINGAPORE -- Konting pagbabago lang at hindi major revamp ang kailangan ng Harbour Centre-Philippine para maging gold medal contender sa 24th SEA Games na gaganapin sa Thailand sa susunod na buwan ayon kay national coach Junel Baculi.
Ang kailangan lamang ng team ay si Fil-Am Gabe Norwood at isa o dalawa pang defensive players para maging kompetitibo laban sa Malaysians at Thais, na siyang mahigpit na kalaban ng bansa sa SEAG title.
“We’re peaking just at the right time. And I think we’re now 70 percent ready to defend the country’s title,” sabi ni Baculi pagdating ng Philippine team dito para ipagpatuloy ang training. “All I need is at least one or two players to reinforce the team. But if they can give me three, then that’s fine.”
Sumang-ayon din si Harbour Centre owner at amateur basketball godfather Mikee Romero na dumating din dito kahapon.
“That’s the reason why I brought the team here. We’re trying to find the right guys for the team,” ani Romero. “Coach Junel and his staff are working very hard to plug the remaining holes.”
Kasalukuyang bahagi ng RP team sina PBL back-to-back MVP Jason Castro, Jervy Cruz, Beau Belga, Jonathan Fernandez, Patrick Cabahug, Chad Alonzo, Alex Crisano, Boyet Bautista, Allan Salangsang, Al Vergara, Chris Tiu, Erick dela Cuesta at Eugene Tan. Bukod kay 6-foot-5 Norwood, tinitignan din ni Baculi na makasama sa team sina Elmer Espiritu at Erick Rodriguez.