Aric says mix of pro, amateur aces ideal for nat’l team

RP team coach Aric del Rosario himself bats for the continued participation of professional stars in the country’s campaign in the Asian Games and, if possible, even in other international jousts.

"Hindi biruan ang laban sa Asian Games. Kahit PBA selection nga, hirap dito eh yung mga batang inexperience pa kaya. Kailangan na kailangan dito ang mga beterano," said Del Rosario, who has seen the Asian giants in the flesh in last year’s ABC championship where his all-amateur squad finished 15th in a field of 16.

Del Rosario wants a mix of marquee PBA players and amateur standouts to compose the RP squad although he doesn’t know if he’s still the coach of the team.

"Sabi sa akin ni (Cebuana Lhuillier special projects manager) Danny Francisco, we’ll talk about a contract after the SEA Games. But after the SEA Games, I haven’t heard anything from them," said Del Rosario.

"The sad part is that they’re conducting tryout which I’m not aware of. Siyempre may mga nagtatanong sa akin tungkol dito at wala akong masagot dahil hindi ko nga alam. Ngamumukha akong kawawa," Del Rosario added.

The multi-titled Pampango mentor said he’s not after the job but only the courtesy to be told of whether he’s still in or out.

"Unang-una hindi naman ako nag-presinta diyan. Kinuha nila ako. Ngayon kung wala na ako sana man lang sabihin sa akin. Sa akin naman sa trabaho, kung akin, akin. Kung hindi akin, ed di hindi sa akin," said Del Rosario who called the shots for the Nationals for a year, steering them to championships in the SEABA and SEAG wars last year.

Incidentally, coaches Boyzie Zamar and Dong Vergeire, Del Rosario’s deputies in the RP team last year, are the ones conducting the "Tryout ng Bayan" program of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Kung sila na ang may hawak niyan, ipagdadasal ko na lang sila. Diyos na ang bahala sa kanila. Hindi ako magdadamdam," said Del Rosario, who’s now concentrating in his job as assistant coach of Joel Banal at Talk n Text.

It could be recalled that Del Rosario tapped PBA reserve players Jonathan de Guzman and Christian Nicdao to reinforce the RP team in last year’s ABC championship with collegiate stars James Yap, Rich Alvarez, Wesley Gonzales and PBL stalwart Gary David barred from joining the trip.

Del Rosario actually requested other reserve players, including 6-foot-7 slotman Rysal Castro, from the PBA Commissioner’s Office. His request was nixed.

"Kailangan mo talaga ang PBA diyan kung gusto mong magkaroon ng laban," said Del Rosario.