MANILA, Philippines - Makakasama ng Defending champion Sinag Pilipinas ang Thailand, Cambodia at Vietnam sa group stages ng 26th Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball competitions matapos ang official draw sa Jakarta.
“We’ll be ready for the competition once we get there,” wika ni Sinag coach Norman Black matapos ang naturang draw.
“Right now, our focus is on our team more than our opponents, on what we have to do offensively and defensively to be successful,” dagdag pa ni Black.
Ang walong koponan ay hinati sa dalawang grupo. Ang Sinag ang mangunguna sa Group A kasama ang Thailand, Cambodia at Vietnam, habang nasa Group B naman ang host Indonesia, runner-up noong 2007, Malaysia, Singapore at Myanmar.
Matapos ang round-robin play, ang top two squads sa magkabilang grupo ang aabante sa crossover semis.
“Thailand has been previously suspended so we’re not sure yet what game they’ll bring. But we’ll do more scouting there. Hopefully, we don’t play Thailand in our first game,” wika ni Black.
Inalis na ni Black sa Sinag sina San Sebastian mainstays Ian Sangalang at Ronald Pascual bunga ng hindi pagsipot sa kanilang mga team practices.
Si NCAA Finals MVP Dave Marcelo ng San Beda College ang idinagdag sa 14-man pool na magtutungo sa Indonesia sa Nobyembre 12.
Makakasama ni Marcelo sa national pool sina Greg Slaughter, Cliff Hodge, Jake Pascual, Nico Salva, Chris Ellis, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Garvo Lanete, Chris Tiu, Kiefer Ravena, RR Garcia, Emman Monfort, Jeric Teng at Jeric Fortuna.