Jacobs’ initial list lacks point guards

There’s no single legitimate pointguard in the list of PBA players coach Ron Jacobs announced would comprise two national pools that will see action in the PBA opening conference next year.

This doesn’t mean, though, that Jacobs will go to war in next year’s Asian Games minus a Johnny Abarrientos, an Olsen Racela, a Patrick Fran, a Boyet Fernandez or a Paolo Mendoza.

To meet the deadline set by the PBA board of governors, Jacobs did submit names yesterday — most of them very much expected, including Fil-Am standouts Eric Menk, brothers Danny and Andy Seigle, Asi Taulava, Ali Peek, Rudy Hatfield, Davonn Harp and Noy Castillo.

Jacobs also tapped Danny Ildefonso, Mick Pennisi, Chris Jackson, Jeffrey Cariaso, Kenneth Duremdes, Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino, Don Camaso and Edward Juinio.

Conspicuously missing in the lineup are Abarrientos and Racela although the two plus some more other PBA stars are likely to be tapped for the pool through voluntary releases from their respective mother teams.

Jacobs is inclined to tap the two best pointguards in the land and, thus, he wants no less than five to join the resumption of tryouts on Jan 7.

To contest the pointguard spots with Abarrientos and Racela are Fran, Fernandez, Mendoza and amateur player Mike Cortez.

"To be fair to everyone, hindi na nagsama ng pointguard si coach Ron (Jacobs) sa list na ibinigay niya sa PBA. Kasi si Johnny (Abarrientos) at Olsen (Racela) hindi nakasama sa tryout. Johnny was injured while Olsen played in the (Governors Cup) finals," said Caidic.

"He wants to give the remaining contenders for the pointguard spots equal chances."

The tryouts for the Asian Games team started Dec. 10 and drew something like 46 players, including standouts from the MBA and collegiate leagues.

Jacobs has been given a deadline to name the 18 PBA players but he will be adding some more to complete two teams which will play in the regular PBA tournament next season where the 10 PBA ballclubs have been given the option to tap as many as two imports as replacements for their contributions to the national pool.

The many-time national coach is expected to name a few collegiate standouts to the pool before he trims that down to one team for the Commissioner’s Cup which will be the RP team’s final preparation for the Pusan Asian Games in September.