Aric: We need top cagers for ABC, SEAG

Coach Aric del Rosario is keeping the door open for the return of the UAAP stars in the Philippine team to the SEA Games and hopefully some of them to the ABC championship despite the recent UAAP board decision not to lend its players for the PBA Invitational, SEABA and ABC jousts.

"I need these talents to have a real good shot in winning the SEA Games and I also need these players if we’re to improve on our previous finish in the ABC championship," said Del Rosario.

"Hindi naman siguro lahat ng mga players na ito aabot sa UAAP Final Four. Kung bigla silang pakawalan sa amin at kung mayroon pang-time para magensayo, isasama ko pa rin sila sa ABC," Del Rosario added.

Ateneo’s Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales, UE’s Paul Artadi and James Yap, UST’s Don Villamin and Alwyn Espiritu, and FEU’s Mark Isip and Gerard Jones are the players affected by the UAAP board decision.

The UAAP board stressed Wednesday its commitment to the Basketball Association of the Philippines was limited only to two specific tournaments in the ABC men’s championship and the SEAG, thus, it is disallowing its stars to see action in the ongoing PBA Invitational Cup and the SEABA championship later this month in Cebu.

Del Rosario said he’s left with no other choice but to make do with lesser-light replacement players for the SEABA tilt following the UAAP board decision.

The RP team is now composed of Ritchie Melencio, Celino Cruz, Dennis Madrid, Loreto Soriano, Ismael Junio, Gary David, Emerson Oreta, Willy Wilson, Nelbert Omolon, Bernzon Franco, Marc Pingris, Ricky Calimag, Al Magpayo and Ronald Capati.