Cagers loom as RP’s biggest heroes in KL

The Philippine basketball team barely made it to the 21st Southeast Asian Games, but, nonetheless, it will likely become one of the biggest heroes of the RP delegation in Kuala Lumpur as it is expected to deliver the gold that matters most back home.

To many, the basketball gold in the Games is virutally in the bag for the Philippines as soon as the RP squad finally got its SEAG ticket following the lifting of International Basketball Federation’s suspension of the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

But RP coach Boycie Zamar said they can’t be complacent since he thinks they have a tough task at hand with the country’s rivals getting formidable on the regional front.

He made special mention of the Thais then suggested that we should not forget the 1989 ambush of the Filipinos by the Malaysians right in the same venue where the competition will be played this year.

"Lahat daw ng daya inabot natin noon," said Zamar, recalling the fate suffered by coach Derrick Pumaren and his team composed of Jun Limpot, Carlito Mejos, Vic Pablo, Jun Reyes, Gerry Esplana, Bonel Balingit, Bong Solomon, Peter Jao, Dong Postanes, Gido Babilonia, Johnedel Cardel and Larry Villanil.

Most of today’s Nationals weren’t even in their early teens then but the 1989 debacle is in their psyche and consciousness as they try to conquer – and conquer big – Kuala Lumpur this time.

"We’re going to Kuala Lumpur not only to defend our title but also to erase the stigma of that 1989 defeat," said Zamar.

Actually, the Filipinos have made the Malaysians paid dearly for it a number of times with the RP team winning back the title in 1991 in Manila and reigning supreme in basketball in the next four SEA Games.

Early this year, the Nationals dominated their Southeast Asian rivals by ruling the SEABA competition for the fourth straight time in Laguna.

The same team which defended the title in Laguna is now in the Malaysian capital, raring to give its contribution to the RP contingent which is seeking to regain some measure of pride and respect in the Games after a forgettable fifth place finish in the 1999 Brunei SEAG.

Culled from the different ballclubs of the MBA, the Nationals are skippered by Romel Adducul, who will have a shot at a sixth straight gold in the Games. Adducul teamed up with Danny Ildefonso in powering the team to the Jakarta SEAG championship in 1997 then led the core of the Manila Metrostars team to a successful title defense in Brunei.

The other members of the team are Reuben dela Rosa, John Ferriols, Eddie Laure, Peter Martin, Omanzie Rodriguez, Christian Calaguio, Chito Victolero, Egay Echavez, Junel Mendiola, Jomar Tierra and Vince Hizon.

Zamar said his team has the height, speed and, more importantly, great character.

"Wala akong masasabi sa team ko. Just imagine despite all the troubles in the BAP leadership, we just trained and trained for 10 months," he said.