The Fighting Fifteen

Joseph Uichico has made up his mind. He’s picked 15 players to make up the national team that will play as the 11th entry in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Second Conference starting June 16.

Under the terms of reference with regard to the selection of the pool, players in the original 17 drafted by Uichico’s predecessor Ron Jacobs and not chosen in the final 15 are barred from rejoining their mother clubs until the start of the Commissioner’s Cup.

The original 17 formed the pool where Jacobs picked players from each PBA team last December. It should’ve been 18–two from each club, except FedEx which was in a state of transition after acquiring the Tanduay franchise. A slot was reserved for either Mike Hrabak–Shell’s only draftee was Chris Jackson–or John Arigo, who was under consideration because of Alaska center Ali Peek’s knee condition. The 18th slot was never filled up as Jacobs was stricken by a stroke before deciding on Hrabak or Arigo.

For the record, the original 17 were Peek and Kenneth Duremdes from Alaska, Eric Menk and E. J. Feihl from Ginebra San Miguel, Noy Castillo and Andy Seigle from Purefoods, Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso from San Miguel Beer, Jackson, Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino from Sta. Lucia Realty, Rudy Hatfield and Poch Juinio from Coca-Cola, Don Camaso and Asi Taulava from Talk ‘N Text, and DaVonn Harp and Mick Pennisi from Red Bull.

Of the 17, 11 were enlisted in Uichico’s 15-man lineup. Left out were Peek, Feihl, Aquino, Juinio, Camaso, and Harp. The six will sit out the rest of the First Conference. They will be reactivated in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Players not in the original 17 and tapped to join the 27-man pool for the Samsung Governors Cup but were not picked for the final 15 may rejoin their mother clubs immediately. That means Johnny Abarrientos, RenRen Ritualo, Rafi Reavis, and Patrick Fran may begin playing in the quarterfinals of the Samsung Governors Cup. Chris Calaguio would’ve been eligible but Shell failed to qualify for the quarters. Jimmy Alapag would’ve also been eligible but he has no mother team to play for.

Why bar the released players from the original 17?

Apparently, there was an agreement before the start of the First Conference, that to make sure none of the 17 players would compromise their participation because of the disparity in game bonuses between the national team and their mother clubs, released players would be disallowed to play the rest of the tournament. That was the same reason used to bar national pool players from suiting up against their mother clubs.

You might disagree with the reasoning behind the prohibition. But the fact is the agreement was sealed. That’s why you won’t see Aquino rejoining Sta. Lucia in the quarters or Juinio back in the Coca-Cola lineup or Camaso or Harp in the quarterfinals. No problem with Feihl because Ginebra has been eliminated. And Peek won’t be ready to play until September at the earliest.

What about Alapag? The kid hasn’t been drafted by a PBA team and isn’t eligible to sign up as a free agent. He has no mother club to rejoin. When Alapag was drafted into the national pool, he was given a P100,000 monthly allowance. Now that he’s been released, Alapag is back in the poor house.

Uichico said he has spoken to Alapag about his future plans. "Jimmy hopes to land a contract as a practice player and stay around for the next few months then he’ll go back to the US and play in the summer leagues to stay in shape," noted Uichico. "He’s been cleared by the Department of Justice so Jimmy will definitely join the PBA draft next year."

Uichico’s cast of 15 looks like the best of the best among the players available to suit up for the country in Busan. It’s balanced, competitive, versatile, and deep in several positions. It’s the kind of squad that could pull major upsets at the Asian Games.

Sure, the national pool didn’t make it beyond the eliminations in the Samsung Governors Cup. But that’s no indication of its worth. Remember that injuries hampered both Selecta and Hapee throughout the elims. What’s important is Uichico was able to size up the players in terms of their attitude, ability to sacrifice, and willingness to work under a team system.

There are no prima donnas in the lineup. No superegos to contend with. No stars who’ll sit on the bench at the slightest hint of pain. Uichico’s Fighting Fifteen are determined to wear the national colors proudly. There’s reason to be optimistic of the team’s chances in Busan. The nationals are destined to play their guts out and make us all proud.