Romeo, Intal, Hontiveros maaasahan

CHANGSHA – Sa ipinakita nilang laro sa mga ensayo ay nakuha na nina Terrence Romeo, JC Intal at Dondon Hontiveros ang tiwala at kumpiyansa ng kanilang mga kakampi bilang mga outside shooters ng Gilas Pilipinas sa 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na maglalaro sina Romeo, Intal at Hontiveros bilang mga Gilas players kapalit nina Jeff Chan, Larry Fonacier at Gary David, ang mga hitmen ng 2013 Gilas squad.

“They’re scorers in the PBA and they’ve shown what they can do in the Jones Cup,” sabi ni Ranidel de Ocampo.

“Romeo was the sco-ring champion in the last PBA season. And who can discount the skills and ability of Dondon. JC has worked hard to improve his shooting and his game all these years. He’s also got size and he’s a leaper,” dagdag pa nito.

“No reason to doubt the capability of the guys in the lineup. They’re doing well in practice. Besides, the system of coach Tab (Baldwin) doesn’t focus only on the shooters,” sabi naman ni David, ibinaba bilang reserve player sa Changsha meet. “What coach wants is to run the plays perfectly and for the players to be smart. If you’re open, you can take the shot,” ayon pa sa veteran shooter.

Si Romeo ang naging bagong top gunner ng Gilas sa nakaraang Jones Cup kung saan nagpasikat din sina Hontiveros at Intal sa three-point range.

Sa kanilang paglalaro sa Gilas noong 2013 ay nagtala sina Chan, Fonacier at David ng mga averages na 9.1, 5.3 at 4.4 points, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

Sa pagiging No. 4 ay inaasahang magsasalpak din sa 3-point line si De Ocampo. Noong 2013 ay nagtala siya ng average na 8.2 points a game.