MANILA, Philippines - Inimbitahan ni SBP executive director Sonny Barrios ang bagong ABL champions na San Miguel Beer para katawanin ang bansa sa FIBA-Asia Champions Cup sa Setyembre 13-21 sa Amman, Jordan.
Ngunit kuwestiyunable ang paglalaro ni Fil-Am Chris Banchero sa naturang torneo.
Sinabi ni San Miguel Corp. director of sports Noli Eala na ang pagsali ng Beermen ay inaprubahan na ni San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang.
Ayon kay Eala, dapat palakasin ang Beermen para matiyak na lalaban ito para sa korona, habang may problema naman sa kanyang citizenship si Banchero.
“If we go, we want to contend for the championship. I will submit a budget and lineup for Boss RSA’s approval. We are handicapped because coach Leo (Austria) will not be available because of his commitment with Adamson in the UAAP,†ani Eala. “Under FIBA rules, Chris may not be eligible because his dual citizenship was confirmed after he turned 16.â€
Pinakiusapan na ni Eala si naturalized player Marcus Douthit na maglaro para sa Beermen.
Ang Champions Cup ay idaraos matapos ang FIBA-Asia Championships sa Agosto 1-11.
“If we enlist Marcus, our frontline will be very competitive with Asi (Taulava) and two imports. Right now, we’re thinking of signing up Michael Dunigan and possibly, D. J. Kennedy as our imports. We initially thought of Dunigan and Robert Dozier but if Chris isn’t able to play, we’ll need a shooting guard like Kennedy. Another option is Renaldo Balkman,†ani Eala.
Si Kennedy, isang Cleveland Cavaliers veteran mula sa St. John’s University, ay susubok sa NBA summer league at sa NBA veterans camp.
“D. J. was one of our choices for Petron in the PBA but he won’t be available in August,†sabi ni Eala. “We’re also exploring the possibility of inviting Greg Slaughter and some of our Gilas cadet players. We hope to build a lineup that can match up against Iran and Lebanon.â€
Kung mananalo ang Pilipinas sa Jordan, makukuha nito ang first place sa paramihan ng kampeonato sa bilang na lima para iwanan ang Iran at Lebanon.
Sa likod ng Northern Cement, naghari ang bansa noong 1984, ang Swift noong 1988, ang Andok’s noong 1995 at ang Hapee Toothpaste noong 1996.